LabourProtest – Supreme Court Declines Bail Plea in Noida Violence Case
LabourProtest – The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant bail to a Delhi University student accused of provoking violence during a workers’ protest in Noida last month. The court advised the accused to seek relief from the Allahabad High Court instead of directly approaching the apex court.
The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices B. V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan. The petition had been filed by Aakriti Chaudhary, who has been named among the accused in connection with the April 13 violence linked to an industrial workers’ demonstration in Noida.
Supreme Court Questions Direct Approach
During the hearing, the bench questioned why the petitioner had approached the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 of the Constitution instead of first seeking remedy before the high court. The judges also referred to the large pendency of cases before the apex court while suggesting that the matter be taken up by the Allahabad High Court.
Counsel representing Chaudhary argued that the police had not properly communicated the grounds for her arrest. The lawyer further submitted that the student was pursuing postgraduate studies at Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College and sought interim relief in the form of bail.
However, the Supreme Court did not provide immediate relief in the bail matter.
Notice Issued on Custodial Torture Allegation
While refusing to entertain the bail request at this stage, the apex court issued notice to officials of the Uttar Pradesh Police on a separate plea moved by Keshaw Anand. The petition alleged custodial torture and sought judicial intervention regarding the treatment of the accused during police custody.
The development adds another legal dimension to the case, which has already drawn attention due to the violence that followed the labour protest in Noida.
Police Custody Granted Earlier
Earlier, a local court in Noida had permitted conditional police custody of three women accused in the case, including Aakriti Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan and Srishti Gupta.
The court also allowed the lawyers representing the accused to remain present during investigation proceedings. According to officials, the police sought custody claiming there was a possibility of recovering significant evidence from locations connected to the accused persons.
Investigators informed the court that searches linked to the residences of the accused could help in gathering further material relevant to the inquiry.
Violence Broke Out During Wage Protest
The incident took place during a large protest by industrial workers demanding revision of wages and other pending labour-related concerns. Officials said workers from several industrial units had assembled in parts of Noida to press for salary hikes and raise slogans supporting their demands.
The demonstration later turned violent after some participants allegedly damaged public and private property. Authorities claimed that stones were thrown during the unrest and a vehicle was also set on fire.
Following the clashes, police launched an investigation and registered multiple cases related to vandalism, arson and disturbing public order. Several individuals were detained or questioned as part of the inquiry.
The case continues to remain under judicial scrutiny as both the investigation and related legal proceedings move forward in different courts.