UP Govt To Challenge Allahabad HC Order On Aakriti Chaudhary’s NSA Detention In Supreme Court
Allahabad High Court had quashed Chaudhary's NSA detention after it found insufficient material linking her to alleged violence during Noida workers’ protest in April.
The High Court also directed the DM Noida to pay Aakriti Chaudhary a compensation of ₹5 lakh and the amount was ordered to be recovered from the District Magistrate's salary
Supreme Court was informed today about the Uttar Pradesh government filing an appeal against the Allahabad High Court's order in which it reprimanded Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam for ordering detention of Akriti Chaudhary, who, the State government alleged, had incited protesters to indulge in violence during the Noida workers' protest in April.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana that the High Court ruling will be challenged before the supreme court.
Recently, the Allahabad High Court quashed the detention of Delhi University graduate Aakriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA) who, the State government alleged, had incited protesters to indulge in violence during the Noida workers' protest in April.
A division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev passed the order in Chaudhary's habeas corpus petition challenging her continued detention under the NSA. Court directed that she be released forthwith, unless required in any other case.
Court also directed the DM Noida to pay Chaudhary a compensation of ₹5 lakh. The amount was ordered to be recovered from the District Magistrate's salary and all such officers responsible for preparing the report leading to Chaudhary's detention under NSA. Court's direction came after, on Tuesday, it questioned the material relied upon by the State to attribute a specific role to Chaudhary in the violence.
High Court also reminded Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers that their loyalty is towards the Constitution and not the political executive. It added that every time bureaucrats and those in the police ignore their oath and allegiance to India and its Constitution, people would view them as an oppressive vestige of the British Empire. It further warned that if the Court fails to act against excesses of bureaucrats, the State may be reduced to an Orwellian Dystopia.
Why is Chaudhary in custody?
Chaudhary is a history graduate from Delhi University. She was arrested in connection with cases arising from the workers' protest in Noida in April 2026 and was subsequently detained under the NSA. The Uttar Pradesh government invoked the NSA against Chaudhary and journalist Satyam Verma on May 13. They were among seven activists arrested in connection with different cases arising from the protest.
At the time, Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh had claimed that the police possessed "strong electronic and videographic evidence" against Chaudhary, Verma and several others arrested in connection with the cases. The habeas corpus proceedings before the high court concerned the legality of Chaudhary's continued detention.
Noida workers' protest
The protest in Noida was held by workers in April 2026 over their demands concerning employment and labour-related issues. The demonstrations later turned violent, with incidents of stone-pelting and damage to vehicles reported during clashes.
The police subsequently registered multiple cases against protesters and others allegedly involved in the violence. Chaudhary's detention under the NSA stemmed from the allegations that she played a role in instigating protesters during the demonstrations.