New Delhi- The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has strongly condemned what it describes as a "witch hunt" by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) targeting activists in the ongoing Lucknow Conspiracy Case (FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA Lucknow).

In a recent statement, CASR highlighted the NIA's issuance of notices to four young activists: Advocate Ehtmam Ul Haq, Nishant, Devdat Shakya, and Deepak Kumar. The group also pointed to the arrests of Advocate and anti-displacement activist Ajay Kumar, student and labour rights activist Priyanshu Kashyap, and documentary filmmaker Vishal Singh in the same case. Over 40 activists across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab have reportedly faced coordinated house raids and interrogations.

CASR described the crackdown as part of a broader, disturbing pattern where the NIA has increasingly used stringent anti-terror laws, particularly the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), to target activists, students, lawyers, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens involved in democratic protests, civil liberties work, and social justice movements. The organization alleged that the agency has shifted from addressing genuine national security threats to criminalizing dissent.

The statement drew parallels to the Bhima Koregaon case, where similar sweeping conspiracy allegations led to prolonged detentions without trial, raising concerns about evidence quality and procedural fairness. CASR cited judicial observations, including from the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court, warning against blurring the line between constitutional rights to protest and terrorist activities, and stressing the need for strict scrutiny of anti-terror powers to protect liberty.

The targeted activists include:

- Ehtmam Ul Haq, a member of the Forum Against Corporatisation and Militarisation (FACAM), with a decade of activism starting at Jamia Millia Islamia. He participated in anti-CAA-NRC protests, advocates for Adivasi rights, and has faced prior custodial torture by Delhi Police.

- Devdat Shakya, a student at Ambedkar University Delhi associated with Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch, active in student and social justice issues, including campaigns for the release of Professor G.N. Saibaba.

- Nishant, a Delhi High Court-practicing lawyer and former Delhi University student activist, who served on the editorial board of 'Nazariya' magazine.

- Deepak Kumar, a human rights activist linked to CASR and former Delhi University student, focused on political prisoners' rights and part of the defense committee for G.N. Saibaba.

CASR accused the NIA of employing intimidation tactics, such as large-scale raids, prolonged interrogations, seizure of personal materials, vague conspiracy claims, and pressure on activists to turn state witnesses. It referred to the agency as increasingly functioning like a "National Implicating Agency" rather than an impartial investigator.

The group emphasized that the activists' work—in student organizing, labour rights, anti-displacement campaigns, and civil liberties—is constitutionally protected. Criminalizing such activities under national security pretexts, it argued, chills democratic participation and undermines the rule of law.

CASR's demands include:

1. Immediate withdrawal of NIA notices against the four activists.

2. Immediate release of Ajay Kumar, Priyanshu Kashyap, and Vishal Singh.

3. An end to coercive raids, surveillance, and intimidation of activists.

4. Strict judicial oversight of investigations under anti-terror laws.

5. Protection of constitutional rights to dissent and democratic protest.

The organization called on democratic groups, civil liberties bodies, student unions, workers' organizations, and citizens to unite against the criminalization of dissent, stating: "An attack on one is an attack on all."

The statement was issued by CASR's organizing team, which includes groups such as AIRSO, AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, CRPP, DSU, IAPL, NAPM, NTUI, People's Watch, WSS, and others.