Supreme Court declines bail plea of student accused in Noida protest violence

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant bail to a student accused of inciting violence during last month’s industrial workers’ protest in Noida, asking her to seek relief before the Allahabad High Court instead.

A Bench comprising justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing a petition filed by Aakriti Chaudhary, one of the accused in the 13 April violence linked to demonstrations by factory workers demanding higher wages.

Questioning the increasing number of petitions being filed directly before the apex court under Article 32 of the Constitution, the Bench observed that litigants should first approach the high court.

“Why don’t you go to the High Court? Everybody comes here by filing petitions under Article 32. There are 93,000 cases pending in the Supreme Court,” the Bench remarked during the hearing.

Counsel appearing for Chaudhary argued that the police had failed to provide proper grounds of arrest and sought bail on her behalf.

The court was informed that Chaudhary is a Delhi University student pursuing higher studies after completing a master’s degree in history from Daulat Ram College.

While refusing immediate bail relief, the Supreme Court issued notice to Uttar Pradesh Police officials on a separate plea filed by Keshaw Anand, who alleged custodial torture by the police.

Earlier, a court in Noida had granted conditional police remand of three women accused in the case — Aakriti Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan and Srishti Gupta.

The lower court also allowed lawyers representing the accused to remain present during investigation proceedings.

According to police, the accused were allegedly involved in provoking violence during the workers’ protest, which escalated into clashes and vandalism in parts of Noida.

Police had sought custody on the ground that evidence relevant to the investigation could be recovered from the residences of the accused.

The protests erupted after workers from several industrial units gathered to press for long-pending wage revisions and improved labour conditions.

Officials said the demonstrations later turned violent, with some participants accused of damaging property, pelting stones and setting a vehicle on fire.

With PTI inputs