Prayagraj, Aug 29 The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Himanshu Thakur, a member of the workers' union 'Mazdoor Bigul Dasta', in connection with two FIRs arising from the April 2026 workers' protest in Noida.
In the two separate orders, one passed by Justice Avnish Saxena and another by Justice Krishan Pahal, courts found that no specific role was attributed to Thakur in the alleged mob violence even as the state opposed bail on grounds of his social media activities.
Thakur was arrested on April 17 in connection with two cases registered at the Gautam Buddha Nagar Phase-2 police station.
The FIRs alleged that a large mob of workers had gathered at industrial establishments in Noida engaged in stone-pelting, damaged company property and assaulted employees and police personnel.
The charges were brought under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Justice Krishan Pahal granted bail in one of the cases, taking note that a similarly placed co-accused Ravi Kumar Rathore had already been granted bail by a coordinate bench.
Granting bail on August 7, Justice Pahal observed that Thakur's criminal history "stands explained". He directed Thakur's release on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties with conditions not to tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses.
Two weeks later, on August 20, Justice Avnish Saxena granted bail in the other case.
State counsel had argued that Thakur was "instrumental in spreading the violence throughout the state through the social media handle" and had "handled the internet for spreading of the hatred".
His affiliation with the Mazdoor Bigul, Disha Students Organisation and Naujavan Bharat Sabha, and his role in discussions through the 'Bigul Mazdoor Dasta' forum were also pointed out.
Thakur's counsel, challenged the prosecution's reliance on recoveries from his residence -- electronic devices, books and union literature -- arguing that no weapons, explosives or incriminating digital communications were found.
He emphasised that neither the FIR nor witness statements placed Thakur at the scene of stone-pelting, gate-breaking or vehicle-burning.
The court found no specific role assigned to him in the FIR that implicated a mob of 450-500 persons. "Considering the mob violence wherein no specific role is attributed on the accused applicant," Justice Saxena allowed the bail, reiterating the same bond and surety conditions.
Both orders make clear that the bail is granted without touching the merits of the case.
Thakur has been directed to cooperate with the judicial process for a fair and speedy trial. The bail conditions require him to appear before the trial court as needed, and any breach will lead to cancellation of bail.
