Uttar Pradesh government challenges court order quashing student's NSA detention

The Uttar Pradesh government is challenging an Allahabad High Court order that quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention of student activist Aakriti Chaudhary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the state will file a Special Leave Petition against the ruling.

The High Court had previously ruled that Chaudhary’s incarceration violated her rights under Article 21, noting that the evidence did not prove she incited violence or arson during labor protests in Gautam Buddha Nagar in April. In addition to quashing the detention, the High Court directed that Rs 5 lakh in compensation be recovered from the salaries of the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate and other responsible officials, including the local Station House Officer.

The decision to challenge the ruling has drawn criticism from the Congress party. Spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioned the government’s involvement, specifically noting the Solicitor General’s representation of the District Magistrate, and suggested the use of the NSA in this instance may have political motivations.