No Specific Role Attributed in Mob Violence, Allahabad HC Grants Bail

The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Himanshu Thakur, a member of the workers’ union Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, in two cases arising from the April 2026 workers’ protest in Noida.

Thakur was arrested on April 17 in connection with two FIRs registered at the Gautam Buddha Nagar Phase-2 police station. The cases relate to allegations of mob violence at industrial establishments, where a large group of workers allegedly engaged in stone-pelting, damaged company property and assaulted employees and police personnel. The accused faces charges under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

In separate orders, Justice Krishan Pahal and Justice Avnish Saxena granted bail to Thakur in the two cases. Justice Pahal granted bail on August 7, taking note of the fact that similarly placed co-accused Ravi Kumar Rathore had already been granted bail by a coordinate bench. The court also observed that Thakur’s criminal history stood explained.

The State opposed the bail applications, alleging that Thakur was instrumental in spreading violence through social media and had used the internet to spread hatred. His association with Mazdoor Bigul, Disha Students Organisation and Naujavan Bharat Sabha was also cited.

Thakur’s counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to establish any specific role in the alleged violence. He pointed out that electronic devices, books and union literature recovered from his residence contained no weapons, explosives or incriminating digital communications.

The defence further submitted that neither the FIRs nor witness statements placed Thakur at the locations where stone-pelting, gate-breaking or vehicle-burning allegedly occurred. Justice Saxena, while granting bail on August 20, noted that the FIR involved a mob of around 450–500 persons but attributed no specific role to Thakur.

Both courts clarified that the bail orders do not address the merits of the allegations. Thakur has been directed to cooperate with the judicial process and comply with conditions, including appearing before the trial court when required and not influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence. Any breach could lead to cancellation of bail.