Prayagraj, May 29 The Allahabad High Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply on a habeas corpus petition for journalist Satyam Verma who was arrested last month on allegations of instigating Noida factory workers to protest.
A two-judge bench of Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Devendra Singh asked the state counsel to file its counter on the petition filed on behalf of Verma by his wife, challenging his arrest, detention and remand, and posted the matter for July 13.
Verma was taken in custody in connection with the Noida workers' protest cases.
His wife's petition alleges serious procedural irregularities in the arrest and custodial transfer process and seeks his release with preservation of electronic and documentary evidence relating to the detention.
Verma, who was arrested from Lucknow on April 17, was separately booked on May 13 under the stringent National Security Act.
The police have contended that Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the workers' protest through his provoking people in several areas.
Workers across Noida went on a warpath demanding a wage hike and improved working conditions.
On April 13, incidents of vehicle burning, trespassing and stone pelting were reported in a few places, following detention of hundreds of workers and seven activists allegedly involved in the protest.
