The British Government was worried about the growing influence of the Communist International in India. The government's immediate response was to foist yet another conspiracy case—the Meerut Conspiracy Case—on them. Usmani along with 32 persons were arrested on or about March 20, 1929 and were put on trial under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code, which declares, Whoever within or without British India conspires to commit any of the offenses punishable by Section 121 or to deprive the King of the sovereignty of British India or any part thereof, or conspires to overawe, by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force, the Government of India or any local Government, shall be punished with transportation for life,During the British rule, a severe form of punishment was banishing convicts to a penal settlement in Andaman Islands. or any shorter term, or with imprisonment of either description which may extend to ten years.
