Noida workers' protest: ₹1 crore in foreign funds traced to accused's account
Synopsis
An SIT probe into the Noida workers' unrest has uncovered over ₹1 crore in foreign currency — dollars, pounds, and euros — flowing into the bank account of an accused during the protests. With two activists booked under the NSA and fund trails pointing abroad, what started as a wage dispute is now a foreign-funding investigation.
Key Takeaways
SIT found more than ₹1 crore in foreign currency transferred into accused Satyam Verma's bank account during the Noida workers' protest .
Funds were received in US dollars , British pounds , and euros , and subsequently moved to separate personal accounts.
Satyam Verma and Aakriti , both linked to Mazdoor Bigul Dasta , have been booked under the National Security Act (NSA) .
Violence on 13 April 2025 in Sector 84, Noida included arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting across industrial zones.
More than 300 people were detained following the outbreak of violence.
Police are probing alleged links between the accused's organisations and foreign funding sources.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Noida workers' unrest has found that more than ₹1 crore in foreign currency — including US dollars, British pounds, and euros — was transferred into the bank account of one of the accused during the period of the protests. The findings, disclosed by Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate Police, have intensified suspicions of external financing behind the violence that disrupted industrial areas of Noida in April 2025.
Key Developments in the SIT Probe
According to police, the accused — identified as Satyam Verma — received the funds purportedly from multiple countries. Shortly after the foreign currency deposits were credited, the money was reportedly moved to separate personal bank accounts, a pattern investigators say is consistent with deliberate layering of funds.
A detailed forensic analysis of bank statements, fund sources, and downstream transactions is currently underway, according to the Commissionerate Police.
Who Has Been Booked and Under What Law
Two individuals — Satyam Verma and Aakriti, both reportedly associated with Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, a workers' organisation — have been booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for their alleged role in the violent demonstrations on 13 April 2025 in Sector 84 and adjoining areas of Noida. Police allege that both played an active part in inciting the crowd and escalating the movement into violence.
What the Protest Was About and How It Turned Violent
The unrest originated as a workers' agitation over stagnant wages and remuneration disputes in Noida's industrial belts. What began as a labour demonstration rapidly deteriorated, with incidents of arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting reported across industrial zones including Phase 2 and Sector 62. Cases were registered at multiple police stations against individuals accused of provocative conduct, arson, and spreading disorder.
Following the outbreak of violence, more than 300 people were detained in connection with the agitation, according to police.
Foreign Links Under Scrutiny
Investigators say Satyam Verma maintains associations with several organisations, the precise nature of which is still being examined. Police are conducting a thorough inquiry into whether any of these organisations received or routed foreign funds to support or inflame the protests. This comes amid broader national concerns over alleged foreign interference in domestic civil movements — though no formal charge of foreign conspiracy has been filed as yet.
Notably, the NSA allows detention without trial for up to 12 months, signalling the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. As the SIT widens its net, the investigation's findings over the coming weeks are expected to determine whether formal charges under financial laws will follow.
Point of View
And the SIT's findings, as disclosed so far, are investigative assertions rather than proven facts. That said, the specific detail of multi-currency deposits followed by rapid intra-account transfers is a concrete forensic lead, not a vague allegation. The deeper question is whether Mazdoor Bigul Dasta's alleged external links represent a coordinated interference operation or incidental activist funding — a distinction that will determine whether this becomes a financial crime case or remains a public order matter. Mainstream coverage has focused on the violence; the funding trail deserves equal scrutiny, with equal scepticism.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the SIT find in the Noida workers' protest investigation?
The SIT found that more than ₹1 crore in foreign currency — including US dollars, British pounds, and euros — was deposited into the bank account of accused Satyam Verma during the period of the Noida protests. The funds were subsequently transferred to other personal accounts, according to police.
Who are Satyam Verma and Aakriti, and why have they been booked under the NSA?
Satyam Verma and Aakriti are reportedly members of Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, a workers' organisation. They have been booked under the National Security Act for allegedly inciting the crowd and turning the labour demonstration violent on 13 April 2025 in Noida's Sector 84.
What triggered the Noida workers' protest?
The protest began as a workers' agitation over stagnant wages and remuneration disputes in Noida's industrial areas. It escalated into violence, with arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting reported in Phase 2 and Sector 62, leading to the detention of more than 300 people.
Has foreign involvement in the Noida unrest been formally established?
Not yet. As of the latest police disclosures, the SIT has identified suspicious foreign currency transfers and is probing the accused's organisational links. No formal charge of foreign conspiracy has been filed; the investigation is ongoing.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are conducting a forensic analysis of bank accounts, fund sources, and transaction trails. The findings will determine whether additional charges — potentially under financial laws — are brought against the accused and any linked organisations.
