The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police, investigating the Noida Protests case, have revealed that more than Rs 1 crore was sent to the bank account of the accused Satyam Verma from foreign nations. The April 13 protests in Noida had targeted and vandalised many industrial units, offices and business outlets, in the name of ‘workers’ protest’.
Police have revealed that Verma received foreign remittances from the USA, UK, and many European nations in different amounts. The currencies used were US Dollars, UK Pounds, and Euros.
Verma, a member of the Leftist workers’ group Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, then transferred the amount into his various personal accounts.
On April 13, Verma, and other acitivists had managed to gather thousands of workers and protestors who moved to target industrial units in Noida. The protests were said to be against work conditions and demand low wages, but the ‘peaceful’ protest soon became violent. Industrial units were vandalised, media offices were attacked. Businesses were looted and multiple cases of arson were reported fro across NCR.
Satyam Verma and another person named Aakriti have been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Other accused named Himanshu Thakur, and the alleged mastermind Aditya Anand have also been arrested. Investigators are examining the money trail and paper trails, checking whether the protests were instigated and organised with foreign support. Over 60 persons have been arrested overall for cases of violence, arson and vandalism.
