A Member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has raised significant concerns regarding alleged large-scale detentions and violations of due process in the aftermath of recent labour unrest in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. John Brittas, a Rajya Sabha MP, has penned a letter to the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissioner, Laxmi Singh, highlighting these issues and seeking immediate corrective measures.
Allegations of Widespread Illegal Detentions
In his communication, Mr. Brittas cited telephonic discussions with senior police officials on April 17, 2026, and urged the release of “over a thousand workers and others” reportedly detained following protests over wage hikes and working conditions. The unrest, which began around April 13, escalated into violence in parts of Noida, with incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and vandalism reported. The police have stated that misleading social media posts triggered the agitation, leading to damage to property.
According to a fact-finding report prepared by a joint delegation of the All India Lawyers Union, Students’ Federation of India, and Democratic Youth Federation of India, the detentions allegedly involved “prima facie untenable departures” from constitutional safeguards. The report claims that a large number of individuals, including workers, bystanders, women, and juveniles, were allegedly picked up from public places, workplaces, and residential areas without adherence to established legal procedures. It further alleged that around 350 juveniles and nearly 800 adults were detained at Kasna alone, with families reportedly left without information about their whereabouts for several days.
Concerns Over Legal Safeguards and Trade Union Activities
Mr. Brittas’s letter further alleged that detainees were not provided with copies of First Information Reports (FIRs) or informed of the grounds for their arrest, thereby affecting their access to legal remedies. The communication highlighted alleged violations of Supreme Court-mandated procedures, including the timely production of detainees before a magistrate and the right to legal counsel. The CPI(M) MP also flagged the sealing of offices belonging to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions in Noida and Bhangel, and alleged prolonged house arrests of trade union leaders, including district secretary Gangeshwar Dutt Sharma and other office-bearers.
The letter emphasized the need for restraint and legality in policing, warning that any perception of arbitrary or coercive action could aggravate tensions and undermine public trust in law enforcement. The Gautam Buddh Nagar police, however, have maintained that only “mild force” was used to control the situation. They have also announced the arrest of two more individuals, Himanshu Thakur and Satyam Verma, for allegedly inciting violence, stating they were associated with ‘Bigul Mazdoor Dasta’ and linked to an alleged mastermind, Aditya Anand, who was previously arrested. The police stated that multiple FIRs have been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
Mr. Brittas urged the police to immediately review all arrests and detentions, release individuals held without sufficient grounds, ensure adherence to due process, facilitate legal access for detainees, and lift restrictions on trade union activities. The situation has drawn criticism from various activists and legal professionals who have also alleged a “witch-hunt” and “repression” by the Uttar Pradesh police and administration, claiming that false narratives are being pushed to hide systemic failures in addressing workers’ demands for a living wage.
The Chenab Times News Desk