New Delhi: A plea has been moved before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) alleging large-scale illegal detentions, constitutional violations, and labour rights abuses by Uttar Pradesh Police following the protests by factory workers and migrant labourers in Noida over minimum wage demands earlier this month.
Filed by Advocate Subhash Chandran K.R., the complaint has raised serious concerns over the reported detention and arrest of more than 1,000 individuals, including around 350 juveniles, within a span of just a few days, particularly from the Kasna area.
According to the petition, workers in Noida have been agitating since the beginning of April seeking an increase in wages, which currently range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 per month, amid rising living costs, including food, housing, healthcare, and education.
While acknowledging reports of isolated incidents of violence and arson during the protests, the complaint alleged that the police response was “indiscriminate, excessive, and in blatant disregard of constitutional safeguards”.
It was alleged that many detainees, including innocent workers, children, shoppers, and bystanders, were picked up without proper justification.
The petition claimed that arrests were carried out directly from factories, often allegedly at the request of employers, from workplaces during attendance marking, and without informing families or providing legal grounds for detention.
“Within just two to three days, over 1,000 persons, including approximately 350 juveniles, were reportedly detained or arrested, with many being innocent bystanders apprehended without lawful justification,” the complaint stated.
It further alleged that several detainees were held under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, including Section 170, without arrest memos being issued, without written communication of grounds of arrest, and without production before a magistrate within the constitutionally mandated 24-hour period.
“These actions constitute clear violations of Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution, apart from directly contravening the safeguards laid down by the judgements in D.K. Basu and Joginder Kumar cases,” the plea said.
The complaint also accused authorities of denying detainees access to legal representation and obstructing lawyers attempting to provide assistance.
In his representation, advocate Chandran sought an independent and impartial inquiry into the alleged illegal detentions and urged the immediate release of all unlawfully held persons, particularly minors.
“Detention of juveniles without adherence to juvenile justice procedures and obstruction of legal aid efforts reflect grave human rights violations requiring urgent intervention,” the petition stated.
The plea further sought complete disclosure of detainee lists, accountability for erring officials, compensation for affected families who allegedly suffered wage loss and financial exploitation, and systemic reforms to ensure protection of labour rights and fair wage practices.
It also alleged that several vulnerable families were misled into paying sums exceeding Rs 5,000 per detainee under false assurances of securing bail.
The petition has urged both NHRC and NCPCR to intervene urgently to safeguard the constitutional rights of workers, juveniles, and economically vulnerable communities affected by the crackdown.
(IANS)
