India: CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS CONTINUED HARASSMENT OF LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVIST SHIV KUMAR AND HIS FAMILY BY THE NIA
We hereby share a statement published by The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) on their Facebook page on September 29.
PRESS STATEMENT
Date: 29 September 2026
CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS CONTINUED HARASSMENT OF LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVIST SHIV KUMAR AND HIS FAMILY BY THE NIA
The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemns the continued harassment and intimidation of labour rights activist Shiv Kumar and his family in connection with the ‘Lucknow Conspiracy Case’ (FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow).
On 25 September NIA officials visited Shiv Kumar’s residence while he was not at home. The officials allegedly did not show any warrant or prior notice and instead questioned and harassed his family members.
During the visit, Shiv Kumar’s father and brother were subjected to harassment. His brother is already dealing with a serious psychological condition, making such intimidation particularly distressing for the family. The officials allegedly took away his father’s mobile phone, checked its contents without his consent, and subsequently returned it.
The same officials also allegedly visited the office of Shiv Kumar’s organisation in the area. They reportedly questioned and threatened the landlord over why he had rented premises to labour rights activists. Following this intervention, the landlord subsequently asked Shiv Kumar and his colleagues to vacate the rented premises.
Officials seen during these visits were recognised through CCTV footage as including an officer believed to be associated with the investigation of the Lucknow Conspiracy Case. We call for an independent verification of the identity and authority of all officials involved in these visits.
CONTINUED SURVEILLANCE AND INTIMIDATION
This latest incident cannot be viewed in isolation. Shiv Kumar has already faced serious allegations of arbitrary detention and custodial torture. On 12 March 2026, he was picked up near Dayal Singh College by the Delhi Police Special Cell and detained for approximately 60 hours.
The Delhi High Court was approached through habeas corpus proceedings concerning the detention, and the court sought an explanation from the police regarding the circumstances and legal authority for the detention.
On 16 April 2026, the NIA issued Shiv Kumar a notice in connection with the Lucknow Conspiracy Case. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative of FIDH and OMCT, has subsequently described the continuing harassment of Shiv Kumar and called for urgent intervention.
The latest incident therefore raises serious concerns about whether investigative powers are being used not merely for lawful investigation, but to create sustained pressure on an activist, his family, his colleagues and the organisation with which he works.
TARGETING THE FAMILY IS UNACCEPTABLE
CASR strongly condemns the alleged harassment of Shiv Kumar’s family members.
No family should be subjected to intimidation merely because one of its members is an labour rights activist activist . The alleged inspection of a family member’s phone, questioning of relatives, and pressure upon a landlord require immediate scrutiny.
Similarly, if investigative agencies have lawful grounds to visit an organisation’s premises, they must act strictly according to law. Pressuring landlords to evict activists because of their political or labour-rights work is wholly incompatible with the right to freedom of association and peaceful organisation.
The reported consequences of such intervention are particularly serious: Shiv Kumar and his colleagues are now facing pressure to leave the premises from which they have been organising and working.
SHIV KUMAR AND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT
Shiv Kumar has worked for years with the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan (MAS) among workers in the Kundli industrial area of Haryana. His work has focused on labour rights and the organisation of workers.
His history of state harassment is already documented. In 2021, during the farmers’ movement, Shiv Kumar was arrested and subsequently alleged that he had been subjected to custodial torture. A medical examination submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court recorded multiple injuries, including fractures.
The recent pattern — detention, interrogation, NIA proceedings, visits to his home, questioning of family members, and alleged pressure on the premises of his organisation — creates a deeply disturbing atmosphere of continuous surveillance and intimidation.
CASR demands:
1. Immediately stop all forms of harassment, surveillance and intimidation of Shiv Kumar and his family.
2. Stop visits and searches at the homes of family members without lawful authority, due process and proper documentation.
3. Disclose the identity, authority and purpose of the officials who visited Shiv Kumar’s residence and organisational office.
4. Ensure an independent investigation into the reported harassment of Shiv Kumar’s family and organisation.
5. Quash FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow, which CASR maintains is being used to target activists and democratic movements.
6. Ensure accountability for the alleged illegal detention and custodial torture of Shiv Kumar and other activists.
CASR stands firmly in solidarity with Shiv Kumar, his family, his colleagues and all labour rights activists facing state repression.
We appeal to democratic rights organisations, trade unions, student organisations, civil liberties groups and concerned citizens to raise their voices against this continuing harassment and to defend the right of workers and activists to organise without fear.
STOP THE HARASSMENT OF SHIV KUMAR AND HIS FAMILY!
STOP THE INTIMIDATION OF LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVISTS!
QUASH FIR NO. RC-01/2023/NIA/LUCKNOW!
CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION (CASR)
Organising Team:
(AIRSO, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity Movement, 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, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)
