IND 002 / 1026 / OBS 049
Arbitrary detention /
Judicial harassment /
Deterioration of health condition while in detention
India
9 October 2026
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in India.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed about the arbitrary detention and further deterioration of the health of Mr Vishal Singhan Indian documentary filmmaker and human rights defender, in connection with the so-called “Lucknow Conspiracy Case”. His work focuses on marginalised communities, including migrant workers and tribal communities, as well as issues relating to social justice.
Detained since 29 June 2025, Mr Vishal Singh’s health condition has severely deteriorated during his arbitrary detention. He requires dialysis three times a week, while also suffering from severe migraines, vomiting, difficulties retaining food and water, extreme weakness, impaired vision, and difficulty walking. He was first admitted to Balrampur Hospital in Lucknow on 14 August 2026 and was subsequently referred and transferred to King George Medical University (KGMU) Hospital in Lucknow, Utter Pradesh State, and discharged on 5 September 2026 before returning to Lucknow District Jail from where he is currently taken to KGMU three times a week for dialysis. On 4 October 2026, Mr Singh also experienced breathing difficulties and was taken to the KGMU Trauma Centre before being discharged and returned to Lucknow District Jail. His next hearing on the evidence of the proceedings is scheduled on 13 October 2026.
On 29 June 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Mr Singh in Delhi in connection with the “Lucknow Conspiracy Case” (RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow), concerning alleged attempts to revive the activities of the banned Communist Party of India Maoist (CPI Maoist) in northern India. The NIA filed a chargesheet against him on 29 November 2025 under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The first hearing in the case took place on 11 December 2025, after which a series of hearings were regularly postponed. The proceedings subsequently moved from the appearance stage to the framing of charges and then to the evidence stage in February 2026. According to the NIA, Mr Singh participated in efforts to revive the CPI, supplied a drone to members of the organisation and trained cadres in its use.
Mr Singh’s health had already seriously deteriorated since July 2026. On 30 July 2026, an application was filed before the NIA Special Court in Lucknow seeking for an appropriate medical treatment for Mr Singh. The Court authorised his transfer to a hospital. However, the prison authorities delayed his transfer for approximately 15 days. During this period, Mr Singh’s health further deteriorated.
The Observatory recalls that the “Lucknow Conspiracy Case” was initiated by the NIA in September 2023 to investigate alleged attempts to revive Maoist activities in northern India. The case has involved investigations and arrests of human rights defenders, labour rights activists, students, and lawyers across several Indian states.
The Observatory also recalls that persons deprived of their liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity, in accordance with Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which India is a state party.
The Observatory is gravely concerned by the severe deterioration of Mr Singh’s health in detention and by the fact that he continues to be deprived of his liberty while requiring dialysis three times a week. The Observatory is particularly concerned that his continued arbitrary detention may hinder him from receiving the specialised and continuous medical care required by his health condition.
The Observatory urges the Indian authorities to take all necessary measures to protect Mr Singh’s life and physical integrity, ensure that he has immediate and continuous access to appropriate specialised medical care, and unconditionally release him for his next hearing on 13 October.
Actions requested:
Please write to the authorities of India urging them to:
– Guarantee in all circumstances the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Vishal Singh and all human rights defenders in India;
– Immediately ensure that Vishal Singh receives adequate and specialised medical care, including regular dialysis, and that his health condition is assessed;
– Put an immediate end to all acts of judicial harassment against Vishal Singh and all human rights defenders in India;
– Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders, journalists, filmmakers and activists in India can carry out their legitimate activities freely and safely, without fear of judicial harassment, intimidation or reprisals.
Addresses:
• Mr. (Shri) Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, Email : [email protected] , X : @PMOIndia / @narendramodi
• Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Email : [email protected], X : @MEAIndia / @DrSJaishankar
• Mr. (Shri) Amit Shah, Union Cabinet Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation, Email : [email protected], [email protected], X : @AmitShah
• Mr. (Shri) Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State of Law and Justice, Email : [email protected] , X : @MLJ_GoI
• Mr. (Shri) Raj Nath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Defence, Email : [email protected] ; X : @DefenceMinIndia
• Mr. Arindam Bagghi, Permanent representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva, Email : [email protected]
Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of India in your respective countries.
***
Paris-Geneva, 9 October 2026
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to intervene to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.euthe European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
• Email: [email protected]
• Tel FIDH: + 33 1 43 55 25 18
• Tel OMCT: + 41 22 809 49 39
Source: www.fidh.org
