India, May 30 -- The Allahabad High Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply on a petition concerning journalist Satyam Verma who was arrested last month on allegations of instigating workers to carry out violence during the Noida labour protests.

A division bench comprising of justices Salil Kumar Rai and Devendra Singh directed the state counsel to file its counter affidavit on the habeas corpus writ petition.

Verma was separately booked under the National Security Act (NSA) on May 13. The petition filed on behalf of Verma by his wife, challenges his arrest, detention and remand.

The petition alleges serious procedural irregularities in the arrest and custodial transfer process and has accordingly sought h...