The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Gautam Buddh Nagar Police have jointly apprehended Aditya Anand, an engineer from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), who is accused of being the primary orchestrator behind the recent violent workers' protests in Noida. Anand, who had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was arrested in the early hours of April 18 at Tiruchirappalli Railway Station in Tamil Nadu while allegedly attempting to flee.
Arrest of Alleged Mastermind
Aditya Anand's arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the labour unrest that escalated into violence in the Gautam Buddh Nagar area. Police officials stated that a non-bailable warrant had been issued against Anand on April 16 by a local court. He is suspected of planning and inciting provocative activities during the workers' demonstrations, leading to the violent confrontations.
Authorities had deployed multiple teams across several states to track Anand, who had been absconding since the incidents. His capture in Tamil Nadu concludes an extensive manhunt.
Who is Aditya Anand?
Originally from Hazaribagh, Aditya Anand holds a BTech degree from NIT Jamshedpur. He was previously employed as a software engineer at a private firm in Noida, having secured the position through campus placement. Before relocating back to Noida in June 2025, he had worked in Gurgaon.
Investigators indicate that Anand first engaged with the labour rights group Mazdoor Bigul via Facebook in 2022, subsequently beginning to document the living and working conditions of factory workers in the region. He reportedly resided in rented accommodation in Sector 37 at the time of the protests.
Links to Labour Organizations
Anand's association with various labour and student organizations is under scrutiny. In 2023, he met co-accused Rupesh Roy during the Bhagat Singh Jan Adhikar Yatra. Roy, along with Manisha Chauhan, had already been arrested on April 11 in connection with the conspiracy.
Police have stated that Anand deepened his involvement with Mazdoor Bigul, a group led by Anubhav Sinha, which focuses on labour rights. He is also linked to the Disha Student Organisation, the Revolutionary Workers' Party of India, and the Naujavan Bharat Sabha, participating in protests nationwide.
Confession and Ongoing Investigation
According to reports, Aditya Anand has confessed to his role in the conspiracy that led to the violence during the labour protest. Police assert that he systematically organized and executed the plan to turn the workers' protest into a violent incident.
Interrogations are ongoing as police aim to identify other individuals involved and determine if there are any broader networks or external connections to the case. Authorities are leveraging electronic surveillance and technical evidence to pursue further actions and intensify efforts to locate additional suspects.