Allahabad HC Quashes NSA Detention of DU Student in Noida, Fines DM Medha Roopam ₹5 Lakh
The Allahabad High Court has quashed the detention of 25-year-old Delhi University law student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act, ordering her immediate release after nearly five months in custody over a workers' protest in Noida. In a detailed order released on September 7, 2026, a Bench comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Achal Sachdev severely criticized Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam for passing the detention order without application of mind and based on a concocted story.
Ms. Chaudhary had been arrested alongside several activists in connection with an industrial and contractual workers’ protest held between April 10 and April 18, 2026. The agitation, which demanded a salary hike and parity with wages paid in neighbouring Haryana, turned violent on April 13 when roads were blocked. A month later, the Uttar Pradesh Police invoked the National Security Act against Ms. Chaudhary, claiming at a press conference that they possessed strong electronic and videographic evidence showing she incited protesters to engage in stone-pelting and arson.
In her habeas corpus petition, Ms. Chaudhary contended that she was already taken into police custody before the violence broke out on April 13 and that her preventive detention lacked factual basis and was procedurally flawed. After examining the records, the High Court Bench observed that the State’s version was a concocted narrative. The judges noted that the police report contained only bare allegations without any credible material against a student activist who had no previous criminal record.
Pulling up the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate, the Bench observed that Ms. Roopam’s conduct was worthy of derision and that she desired to set an example out of the petitioner to deter others from exercising free speech in public spaces. The court noted that the District Magistrate was expected to examine the record threadbare and evaluate whether the oppressive provisions of the NSA were warranted instead of general laws. Finding that Ms. Roopam was guilty of violating her oath of allegiance, the court ruled that the case warranted the imposition of compensation.
The High Court directed that Ms. Chaudhary be paid ₹5 lakh in compensation, ordering that the sum be recovered directly from the salary of the District Magistrate as well as other responsible officials, down to the Station House Officer who prepared the initial detention report. The Bench also uncovered severe procedural discrepancies, noting that the police general diary showed Ms. Chaudhary was arrested before a warning notice was even prepared. The State admitted it failed to issue a show-cause notice under Section 126 and could not produce video evidence showing the student inciting violence.
