CASR Against the Harassment Under the So-Called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case”
We hereby share a statement by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).
Date: 10 December 2025
Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) Condemning the NIA Raid on Former Student Activist and Physiotherapist Naresh in the So-Called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case”
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR strongly condemns the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) raid on the residence of Naresh, a former student activist associated with Chhatr Ekta Manch and currently a practicing physiotherapist. This raid, conducted under the so-called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case,” marks yet another level of intimidation directed at democratic voices.
Over the past months, this case has been systematically used to target multiple student activists—many of whom have been at the forefront of democratic movements, campus rights campaigns, and people’s struggles. Several students across UP, HARYANA, DELHI and other regions have reported home raids, summons, coercive questioning, and the confiscation of personal devices by the NIA.
Such actions create a chilling effect across campuses and communities, signalling that dissenting voices and critical thought are being met not with dialogue but with punitive state action.
The raid on Naresh’s home fits squarely into this broader pattern of repression. The atmosphere of fear generated by these operations—often carried out without transparency or clear justification—constitutes a direct attack on the right to organise, dissent, and participate in democratic life.
CASR reiterates that peaceful activism cannot be equated with conspiracy, nor can the legitimate engagement of students and youth be criminalised under expansive, vague, and politically motivated allegations.
We therefore demand:
1. An immediate end to the harassment of Naresh and all students and activists targeted under the so-called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case.”
2. Accountability and transparency from investigative agencies, with full adherence to constitutional safeguards and due process.
3. An end to the misuse of central investigative bodies as tools for political intimidation against democratic movements, student organisations, and civil society groups.
CASR stands in unwavering solidarity with Naresh and with every student activist facing intimidation under this case. We call upon democratic organisations, mass movements, student bodies, and concerned citizens to collectively resist these assaults on civil liberties and defend the democratic spaces that are essential to a just, equitable, and free society.
Issued by
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)
