IMT Manesar protest: Police arrest 6 for instigating violence

Analysis of WhatsApp chats exposed the accused allegedly discussing plans to set company premises on fire using petrol bombs

Published on: Apr 13, 2026, 14:03:39 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Gurugram police on Monday arrested six accused for allegedly orchestrating rioting, vandalism and arson at IMT Manesar workers’ protest. WhatsApp chats revealed a larger conspiracy, including plans to use petrol bombs and target company officials, said police.

Contractual workers in Gurugram’s industrial hub of IMT Manesar protested for higher wages. (HT sourced photo)

HT is in possession of all chats that were circulated on April 9, when the tensions escalated at the protest site.

According to police, the arrests were made by crime branch, Manesar, in connection with a case registered at Sector-7 IMT Manesar police station following the April 9 violence, during which protesters vandalised company premises, torched vehicles, and assaulted employees and police personnel.

The accused have been identified as Akash Kumar (Rohtak), Harish Chand (Uttarakhand), Pintu Kumar Yadav (Bihar), Raju Singh (Uttarakhand), Shyambir (Uttar Pradesh), and Ajit Singh (Haryana). Police said none of them were employees of the companies where the violence took place.

Also Read:‘No permission’: Workers’ stir over wages in Manesar turns violent, at least 22 injured

Analysis of WhatsApp chats exposed the accused allegedly discussing plans to set company premises on fire using petrol bombs and even plotting to kill a senior company employee during the unrest, said police.

Deputy commissioner of police (West) Karan Goyal said, “The role of external miscreants in instigating violence has come to light...Digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats, indicates a premeditated conspiracy to incite arson, vandalism and serious harm.”

He added, “We appeal to workers not to fall prey to provocations by outsiders. If any such attempt to disturb law and order is noticed, it must be reported to the police immediately.”

Contractual workers in Gurugram’s industrial hub of IMT Manesar protested for higher wages and better working conditions. After tensions escalated on April 9, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting assembly of five or more people, was imposed.

Also Read:Contractual workers of several companies in IMT Manesar go on strike, demand pay raise

Police said the violence on April 9 involved large-scale stone pelting, arson and vandalism at multiple factory units, resulting in injuries to several people, including police personnel. Based on CCTV footage and technical surveillance, the accused were identified and apprehended.

Officials said further investigation is underway. “Strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in instigating or participating in such unlawful activities,” police said.

Gurugram police reiterated that maintaining law and order remains a priority and warned of stringent action against those attempting to disrupt peace under the guise of labour unrest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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