About the Human Rights Defender: HRD Anita Kushwaha 36, used to live in Raipur. After marriage, Anita settled in Brijesh's village, Salempur, in Deoria Uttar Pradesh. Besides farming, she also had a small shop for sewing bags for livelihood. In addition to this, she worked to educate and organize women, especially Dalit women, in villages around Deoria through the Savitribai Phule platform. After the farmers' movement, Anita, along with her husband Brijesh, started organizing farmers with the United Farmers Front. Last year, after becoming pregnant, she went to her parents' home in Raipur.

Details of the Incident: When Ms. Anita was five months pregnant. She went to live with her parents at Raipur Chhattisgarh. On October 18, 2023, she was picked up by Anti-Terrorism Squad Uttar Pradesh from HRD’s residence. Her family was not informed about HRD Anita Kushwaha’s arrest. She was deliberately forced to travel so long distance by train and jeeps while she was advised bed rest by her doctor. As a result, her health deteriorated in Lucknow jail, and despite submitting numerous petitions, the jail administration did not make proper arrangements for her treatment. On December 09, 2023 she suffered a miscarriage. She was implicated in false cases under sections - 120 B, 121 A, 419,420,467,468,471 IPC and 13,18,38 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. She suffered mental trauma and still in Lucknow jail.