‘Conduct worthy of derision’: Allahabad HC pulls up District Magistrate over NSA detention of law student
The court observes that the District Magistrate ‘desired to set an example’ out of the petitioner and deter others from exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression in public spaces in support of workers
The Allahabad High Court has harshly criticized the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Medha Roopam, for her decision to detain a 25-year-old law student, Akriti Chaudhary, under the National Security Act (NSA). The court ruled on September 2 that Ms. Roopam sought to make an example of the petitioner, which was deemed unworthy.
Ms. Chaudhary was held in custody for nearly five months following a workers' protest in Noida in April, where she allegedly incited protesters to stone and set vehicles on fire. However, the court found discrepancies in the arrest notice and termed the State's version as a "concocted story." Ms. Chaudhary argued that she was already in custody before the violence and that there was no factual basis for her detention.
The court noted that the District Magistrate should have thoroughly examined the record and determine if the NSA provisions were justified against Ms. Chaudhary, who had no previous criminal record. The court directed that Ms. Chaudhary be compensated ₹5 lakh and that the amount be recovered from the salary of the District Magistrate and other officers responsible for her detention.
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