CASR STRONGLY
CONDEMNS THE WITCH HUNTING OF ACTIVIST EHTMAM UL HAQ, NISHANT, DEVDAT
SHAKYA AND DEEPAK KUMAR BY NIA IN LUCKNOW CONSPIRACY CASE
QUASH FIR NO. RC-01/2023 NIA LUCKNOW
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the
continued actions of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the
Lucknow Conspiracy Case, including the issuance of notices to four young
activists and the arrest of Advocate and anti-displacement activist
Ajay Kumar, student and labour rights activist Priyanshu Kashyap, and
documentary filmmaker Vishal Singh. More than 40 activists across Uttar
Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab have faced coordinated house raids
and interrogation.
This sweeping crackdown is not an isolated development. It reflects a
growing and disturbing pattern in which the National Investigation
Agency has increasingly targeted activists, students, lawyers,
intellectuals, and ordinary citizens in the name of combating terrorism.
A Pattern of Criminalising Dissent in the Name of Terrorism
Over the past decade, the NIA has repeatedly invoked stringent
anti-terror provisions, particularly under UAPA, against individuals
engaged in democratic protest, civil liberties work, and social justice
movements. Instead of confining its mandate to genuine threats to
national security, the agency has expanded its scope to include
dissenting voices.
The trajectory of the present case bears disturbing resemblance to
the Bhima Koregaon case, where activists, professors, advocates, poets,
and human rights defenders were arrested under sweeping conspiracy
allegations. Many of them spent years in prison without trial.
Subsequent judicial scrutiny in various stages of the proceedings raised
serious questions about the quality of evidence, prolonged
incarceration, and procedural fairness.
In several important judgments, courts have cautioned investigative agencies against conflating dissent with terrorism:
The Delhi High Court, while granting bail to student activists in a
UAPA case related to the Delhi violence, clearly observed that the line
between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist
activity must not be blurred.
The Supreme Court of India has, in multiple instances, stressed that
the extraordinary powers granted under anti-terror laws require strict
scrutiny and careful application. The Court has repeatedly emphasized
that prolonged incarceration without trial undermines the fundamental
right to liberty.
Despite such judicial warnings, investigative practices continue to
reflect overreach—characterized by sweeping raids, seizure of personal
materials, vague conspiracy allegations, and long pre-trial detention.
Lucknow Conspiracy Case: Targeting Young Activists
The current notices target:
Advocate Ehtmam Ul Haq – A member of FACAM (Forum Against
Corporatisation and Militarisation), with over a decade of activism
beginning at Jamia Millia Islamia. He was active in the anti-CAA-NRC
protests and faced FIRs during the movement. As an advocate and
anti-displacement activist, he has worked on Adivasi rights campaigns
and raised concerns about militarised operations affecting indigenous
communities. Six months ago, he was subjected to custodial torture and
illegal detention for eight days by Delhi Police. The present notice
continues a sustained pattern of targeting.
Devdat Shakya – A student activist associated with Bhagat Singh
Chhatra Ekta Manch and currently pursuing Masters in Ambedkar University
Delhi, active in student and social justice movements for the past five
years. He is also facing FIR while campaigning for the release of Delhi
University Professor G N saibaba.
Advocate Nishant – A Delhi University law graduate currently
practicing at the Delhi High Court, with a long history of student
activism and later serving on the editorial board of ‘Nazariya’
magazine.
Deepak Kumar – A human rights activist associated with CASR and
former Delhi University student, who has worked extensively for
political prisoners. He was part of the Committee for the Defence and
Release of G. N. Saibaba.
From Investigation to Implication
The continuous targeting of activists and ordinary citizens under
sweeping conspiracy theories. Large-scale coordinated raids across
northern states, prolonged interrogations, and attempts to pressure
young activists into becoming state witnesses against fellow comrades
indicate a strategy of intimidation rather than impartial investigation.
The pattern suggests that the agency is increasingly being used not
merely as a National Investigation Agency, but as what many have begun
to call a “National Implicating Agency”—implicating individuals through
broad allegations instead of establishing guilt through credible,
transparent, and time-bound investigation.
When anti-terror laws are invoked against students, lawyers, writers,
and grassroots organizers, the effect is chilling: democratic
participation becomes risky, and constitutional rights are reduced to
paper guarantees.
Defending Democracy and Constitutional Rights
The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, association, peaceful
assembly, and the right to legal defense. The activists targeted in this
case have been involved in student organizing, labour rights advocacy,
anti-displacement campaigns, and civil liberties work—all protected
democratic activities. Criminalizing such work under the banner of
national security undermines both democracy and the rule of law.
Our Demands
1. Immediate withdrawal of NIA notices against the four activists.
2. Immediate release of Ajay Kumar, Priyanshu Kashyap, and Vishal Singh.
3. An end to coercive raids, surveillance, and intimidation of activists.
4. Strict judicial oversight over investigations conducted under anti-terror laws.
5. Protection of constitutional rights to dissent and democratic protest.
The Campaign Against State Repression calls upon democratic
organizations, civil liberties groups, student unions, workers’
organizations, and concerned citizens to stand united against the
criminalization of dissent.
An attack on one is an attack on all.
Campaign Against State Repression (CASR)
Organising Team
(AIRSO,AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE,
CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana,
Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor
Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nazariya Magazine , Nishant
Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi
Janparishad, Smajwadi lok manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Mnach, United Peace
Alliance, WSS, Y4S)