Mr.Robin Verma is a social activist and has been teaching at Shia Post Graduate College, Lucknow. Hehas been helping thehuman rights group Rihai Manchwith its workin the state of Uttar Pradesh.He has been actively involved in the struggle against caste discrimination and communal divides.

According to the sourceson 20 December, 2019 Mr.Robin Verma was picked up by the police along with journalist Omar Rashid from a place near Darul-Shafa, Lucknow. According to the information providedby Omar Rashid, both Robin Vermaand he weredetained by four men in plain clothes on December 20, 2019when they were having their meal at a eaterylocated at Lalbagh. They werewaiting to get the information about the press conference to be held by the Uttar Pradeshgovernment.Then they bothwere taken to the Hazratganj police station. According to the informationreceived,the policemen who arrested them did not identify themselves and used abusivelanguageagainst them. They said that they wanted to inquire about something and took theminto their police jeep. The policemen threatened both sayingthey would book themunder Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code. Within seconds from their arrival at the police station, cops, who were already stationed there, started thrashing Robin with a thick leather belt and slapped him many times. Although Omar Rashid was released after a fewhours,but Robin Verma was sent to jail. According to the police FIR, his arrest has been shown on 21December2019 from behind Begum Hazrat Mahal Park in Lucknow.According to the police, Robin Vermaalong with others violatedsection 144 of Criminal Procedure Code. He was falsely shown as arrested on several charges, including rioting, attempted murder and assault on public servants, during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Lucknow on December 19, 2019inCase no 600/2019 under sections 147,148,149, 152, 307, 323, 504, 506, 332, 353, 188, 435, 436, 120 B, 427 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), sections 3 and 4 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Section 7 of Criminal Law (Amendment) Actwas also slapped on him.Bail application of Robin Verma was rejected by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow on December23,2019.Then it was moved to the Sessions Courtand he was granted bail by the Sessions Court on 7 January, 2020. Hehasspent close to 17days in jail during harsh weather.HRDA would like to point out that apart from illegal arrest, detention and custodial tortureonRobin Verma, hewas alsosuspended from his jobas a Professor on contractual basis at ShiaPost Graduate College, Lucknow. Illegal arrest and detention of Robin Verma highlightsthe treatment being meted out to human rights defendersarrested in the aftermath of anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh.