India – CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS NIA’S TARGETING OF SAMRAT SINGH

We hereby share a statement issued by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR).

CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS NIA’S TARGETING OF SOCIAL ACTIVIST AND PSYCHOLOGIST SAMRAT SINGH IN LUCKNOW CONSPIRACY CASE

The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the continued harassment and targeting of social activist and psychologist Samrat Singh by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the bogus Lucknow Conspiracy Case (FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA Lucknow).

Samrat Singh, a respected psychologist and long-time people’s activist, has reportedly been issued notice by the NIA in connection with this case, which has already been widely criticised as a fabricated and politically motivated attempt to criminalise dissent. This case has been used as a tool to target a broad spectrum of democratic voices, including students, advocates, civil rights defenders, anti-displacement activists, and labour rights organisers.

Over the past 3 years, the NIA has carried out raids at more than 30 locations and subjected over 40 activists to prolonged interrogation under the pretext of this case they also arrested 3 activist in this case. The sweeping nature of these actions clearly indicates a fishing expedition aimed at intimidating and silencing those who speak up against injustice and state repression.

Samrat Singh is not new to such persecution. In 2009, he was falsely implicated under draconian laws UAPA, subjected to custodial torture, and imprisoned for nearly five years before being honourably acquitted by the court. His continued targeting reflects a disturbing pattern of harassment against individuals who have consistently stood with marginalised and oppressed communities.

On the evening of 12th July 2025, Samrat Singh was illegally abducted by a team of Delhi Police from his residence in Yamunanagar, Haryana. This was carried out without presenting any arrest warrant, notice, or legal documentation—a blatant violation of constitutional and legal procedures.

According to his family, a group of 4–5 men and 2 women came to take him away. He was subsequently kept in illegal custody by the Delhi Police Special Cell at New Friends Colony, where he was brutally tortured. It has been reported that he was subjected to severe physical abuse, including electric shocks. During the same period, several other activists were also picked up and held in illegal custody by the police.

The invocation of serious charges without credible evidence, coupled with widespread raids and interrogations, exposes the arbitrary and coercive functioning of investigative agencies. The Lucknow Conspiracy Case appears to be yet another attempt to construct a false narrative to justify repression against democratic movements across the country.

CASR views this development as part of a larger crackdown on dissent, where legal processes are weaponised to instill fear and suppress voices of resistance.

We demand:

1. Immediate withdrawal of all notices issued to Samrat Singh in this fabricated case.

2. An end to the harassment, surveillance, and intimidation of activists, students, and civil rights defenders.

3. A judicial review of the Lucknow Conspiracy Case and accountability for the misuse of investigative powers.

We call upon all democratic forces, civil liberties organisations, and concerned citizens to unite against this systematic criminalisation of dissent. The continued use of state machinery to target activists poses a serious threat to democratic rights and civil liberties in the country.

If such actions go unchallenged, it will set a dangerous precedent where any individual raising their voice for justice can be branded a conspirator and subjected to repression.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION (CASR)

Organising Team

(AIRSO, AISA, 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, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samajwadi Manch, SFI, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)