The Allahabad High Court today deferred the bail application of journalist Satyam Verma in Case Crime No. 164 of 2026, registered at Police Station Phase-2, Gautam Buddh Nagar, following the State's request to file objections on the ground of parity. The bench, comprising Justice Krishan Pahal, had earlier indicated in open court that Verma would be granted bail on parity with a co-accused who had been granted bail in the same case on June 23, 2026.
However, after the State counsel sought an opportunity to oppose the bail plea on the basis of parity, the Court deferred the matter and posted it for consideration of the State's objections on September 23, 2026. The Court did not pass any final order on the bail plea at this stage.
On June 23, 2026, the High Court had granted bail to co-accused Shiv Kumar @ Shiva in the same case. In that order, the Court observed that Shiv Kumar was not named in the FIR and that the FIR had been lodged against a mob. It noted that Shiv Kumar had been in jail since April 14, 2026. The Court, after considering the rival submissions, the FIR and other relevant documents, had concluded: 'I am of the considered view that applicant has made a case for bail. The bail application is allowed.' The Court had specifically considered the nature of the offence, evidence, complicity of the accused and severity of punishment, while clarifying that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
The FIR in Case Crime No. 164 of 2026 invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act and Sections 3/4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The case arises from the April 2026 Noida workers' protest, during which allegations of violence, arson and spread of disorder were reported. The Uttar Pradesh Police has alleged that Verma played an important role in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the protest and attempted to disrupt public order by allegedly provoking people in various areas. The workers were protesting for a wage hike and improved working conditions.
Verma, who is also the editor of Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, was arrested in Lucknow on April 17, 2026, in connection with cases arising from the workers' protest. He was subsequently booked separately under the National Security Act (NSA) on May 13, 2026, along with student activist Akriti Chaudhary. However, Chaudhary's NSA detention was recently quashed by the Allahabad High Court, which also made strong remarks against Noida District Magistrate Medha Roopam and criticised the manner in which the detention order was passed.
The Court clarified that Verma is not expected to walk out of jail even if he secures bail in the present case, as he remains in custody in connection with other criminal cases. He continues to be detained under the stringent National Security Act.
The matter has been posted for hearing on September 23, 2026, for the Court to consider the State's objections on the ground of parity. No further observations were made by the Court at this stage regarding the substantive merits of the bail plea or the allegations against Verma.