# India uses National Security Act for detentions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-uses-national-security-act-for-detentions
> Updated: 2026-08-03T02:27:35.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, the Assam state government invoked the National Security Act (NSA) to keep land‑rights activist Pranab Doley in custody despite a court granting him bail. Doley’s arrest followed his protest against a proposed Hyatt luxury hotel near Kaziranga National Park and led to a preventive‑detention order that could be extended until mid‑October.

Around the same time, Delhi’s lieutenant governor used the same NSA provision to extend administrative detention powers amid large‑scale student protests over leaked NEET‑UG exam papers, prompting criticism from Amnesty International India.

A few days later, further details emerged about Doley’s case: he had been arrested on 12 July 2024, granted bail, and then re‑detained on 30 July under the NSA. Over 60 organisations, trade unions and rights groups condemned the move as an attempt to silence dissent, while opposition politicians accused the BJP‑led government of misusing extraordinary laws. The developments highlight growing concerns over the use of preventive‑detention powers to curb environmental and student activism in India.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Activist Pranab Doley Detained Under India's National Security Act Amid Kaziranga Protest

Indigenous activist Pranab Doley was placed under India's National Security Act after bail, sparking condemnation from over 60 groups and criticism from the Congress over alleged misuse of preventive detention.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/activist-pranab-doley-detained-under-indias-national-security-act-amid-kaziranga-protest

### 2026-07-31: India invokes National Security Act to detain activist and student protestors

India used the National Security Act to detain land‑rights activist Pranab Doley in Assam and to extend police detention powers during student protests over leaked NEET‑UG exam papers in Delhi.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-invokes-national-security-act-to-detain-activist-and-student-protestors

---
Cite as: India uses National Security Act for detentions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-uses-national-security-act-for-detentions
