SC examines Noida DM's role in Akriti detention case

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on District Magistrate Medha Roopam's challenge to the Allahabad High Court ruling that dismissed the NSA detention of student activist Akriti Chaudhary. The High Court had also criticized Roopam's handling of the proceedings. A bench of Justices SC Sharma and NK Singh heard arguments on whether Roopam could be held personally accountable, as the detention proposal passed through several administrative levels.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Uttar Pradesh, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Roopam, argued that the DM followed a multi-level process and that the NSA Advisory Board subsequently examined the detention. They questioned the basis for imposing a Rs 5 lakh fine on Roopam when the decision appeared to stem from a lengthy process.

Roopam seeks removal of the strictures and the direction for recovery of the fine from her salary. Rohatgi highlighted that the detention was based on allegations of violent labor agitation, referring to evidence like WhatsApp messages. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta countered that the DM was just one part of a five-stage process and that her decision was made after following due safeguards.

Chaudhary's counsel, Colin Gonsalves, challenged the State's case, questioning the connection between Chaudhary and the alleged disturbance of public order based on the provided evidence. The Court also scrutinized the material supporting the detention, questioning the intelligence reports and the basis for the High Court's interference in the process.