The Allahabad High Court has quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention of Delhi University student and activist Akriti Chaudhary, strongly criticising officials over what it described as an arbitrary exercise of power.
The court held that Chaudhary’s continued detention violated her fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. It found no credible evidence that she had incited violence during a workers’ protest in Noida earlier this year.
The bench also questioned the conduct of Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam and other officials involved in the case. Warning against misuse of authority, the court said errant bureaucracy could turn Uttar Pradesh into an “Orwellian Dystopia.”
The High Court awarded Rs 5 lakh compensation to Chaudhary and directed that the amount be recovered from the salaries of officials found responsible, including the District Magistrate and police personnel involved in preparing the NSA dossier.
The court stressed that the NSA is an exceptional law and cannot be used based on speculation or assumptions. It also reaffirmed the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
However, Chaudhary will remain in judicial custody in connection with the underlying criminal cases until she secures bail.