'Intimidation and harassment' of political activists: CASR condemns NIA’s actions in Lucknow Conspiracy Case

By A Representative 

The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong condemnation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for what it describes as the "intimidation and harassment" of political activists, particularly Vinay, in connection with the so-called 'Lucknow Conspiracy Case'. The organization has called for the quashing of FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow, which it claims is being used to target activists across northern India.

According to CASR, Vinay, a former vice president of the Bhagat Singh Students Morcha (BSM) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), has been summoned for interrogation. The case, which has led to raids on the homes of approximately 30 activists in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Chandigarh, has already resulted in the arrest of Chandigarh-based lawyer and anti-displacement activist Ajay Kumar.

CASR alleges that the investigation is part of a broader pattern of repression, comparing it to the Bhima Koregaon case, in which several activists were arrested on allegations of links to Maoist groups. The organization claims that members of BSM have been under increasing pressure from authorities, citing multiple FIRs, suspensions, and arrests following their protests against a reported gang rape at IIT BHU. It also referenced the 2023 NIA raid on the BSM office and the detention of its president, Aakanksha Azad, as evidence of ongoing suppression.

The press statement also criticized the government for allegedly using security agencies to silence dissent, linking the current investigation to previous actions against activists and scholars accused of supporting outlawed groups. CASR has called for an immediate end to the NIA’s actions in this case and urged democratic and progressive organizations to oppose what it describes as a "witch hunt" against activists.