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

In just 53 days after 200 workers were arrested during the Noida protests, 84% of them received bail, according to an investigative report by The Indian Express. Reporter Drishti Jain and Delhi City Editor Kaunain Sheriff M started probing into the arrests and subsequent legal proceedings, focusing on seven FIRs containing over 100 arrests and serious allegations such as rioting, arson, and conspiracy.

Out of the 222 bail orders issued, 188 were granted to the accused. The investigation revealed that mere presence at a protest is insufficient to detain an accused, as the courts questioned the lack of specific evidence linking the accused to the crime. The analysis also highlighted discrepancies in how the police treated wage workers and instigators of the protests separately.

The findings underline the crucial role of the judiciary in upholding due process and the contrasting outcomes for two similar protests.