After 53 days of jail, 84% got bail: What an Express Investigation uncovered

After 53 days of imprisonment, 84% of those arrested in the Noida wage protest received bail according to an investigation conducted by The Indian Express. The story came to light after reporters Drishti Jain and Kaunain Sheriff M started digging into the arrests and subsequent court proceedings. They focused on seven FIRs that involved over 100 arrests and included serious allegations such as rioting, arson, conspiracy, and attempted murder.

Out of these, 222 bail orders were granted, with 188 out of the 222 cases resulting in bail. The investigation revealed that mere presence at a protest was not a valid reason to keep someone in jail, as there had to be specific evidence like CCTV footage or other links connecting the accused to the crime. The investigation also highlighted the fact that wage workers and those who participated in the protests were often lumped together with instigators of violence, which raised questions about the fairness of the legal proceedings.