Allahabad High Court quashes NSA detention of activist Aakriti Chaudhary

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the detention of Delhi University student and social activist Aakriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA). The ruling follows a violent workers' protest in Noida on April 13, 2026, during which Chaudhary and journalist Satyam Verma were accused of using social media to incite stone-pelting and arson.

A division bench consisting of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev determined that the detention was based on a fabricated narrative provided by the state. The court ordered Chaudhary’s immediate release, provided she is not required for other legal matters, and awarded her Rs 5 lakh in compensation. The court directed that this compensation be recovered from the salary of Noida District Magistrate Medha Rupam.