Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Allahabad High Court Quashes Activist’s NSA Detention in Noida
Aakriti Chaudhary was jailed after a workers’ protest in Noida became violent.
The Uttar Pradesh government used the National Security Act to keep her in custody.
Police said she helped encourage people to throw stones and damage property.
Chaudhary’s lawyers disagreed and said the government had not shown enough proof.
The High Court found problems with the arrest and notice process.
The judges also said the government’s story appeared fabricated or concocted.
They ordered that her detention be cancelled and that she receive Rs 5 lakh.
She could still remain in jail if another case requires her custody.
Reports differ on whether the protest occurred on April 11 or April 13, 2026.
The Allahabad High Court quashed Aakriti Chaudhary’s detention under the National Security Act.
The court described the Uttar Pradesh government’s account as arbitrary, vague, fabricated or concocted.
Judges questioned whether Chaudhary was arrested before a required BNSS Section 126 notice was prepared and served.
Police alleged Chaudhary and activist Satyam Verma incited stone-throwing, arson and disorder during the Noida workers’ protest.
The court ordered Rs 5 lakh compensation and directed Chaudhary’s release unless she was wanted in another case.
- Who
- Aakriti Chaudhary, a 25-year-old Delhi University history graduate and member of the Mazdoor Bigul Dasta; police also named activist-journalist Satyam Verma, identified as Satya Verma in one report.
- What
- The Allahabad High Court quashed Chaudhary’s NSA detention, ordered compensation of Rs 5 lakh and directed her release unless she was required in another case.
- When
- The ruling was reported on Tuesday or Wednesday after Chaudhary had spent nearly five months in custody. Reports date the protest to April 11 or April 13, 2026.
- Where
- The case concerns workers’ protests in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and was heard by the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj.
- Why
- The court cited apparent procedural lapses, questioned the evidence that Chaudhary incited violence and found the state’s account fabricated or concocted.
Court and Defense View
Police and Uttar Pradesh Government View
Basis for detention
Court and Defense View
The court found the state’s account arbitrary, vague and apparently fabricated or concocted, and said the material presented did not justify NSA detention.
Police and Uttar Pradesh Government View
Police said Chaudhary and Verma were active members of the Mazdoor Bigul Dasta and played significant roles in instigating violence, arson and disorder.
Evidence of incitement
Court and Defense View
The court asked the state to produce videos, WhatsApp chats or other evidence showing Chaudhary urging protesters to throw stones or set vehicles on fire; the reports say this material was not produced before the ruling.
Police and Uttar Pradesh Government View
The government alleged that Chaudhary incited workers through social media and said a charge sheet had been filed in the case.
Arrest procedure
Court and Defense View
The court said the General Diary appeared to indicate that Chaudhary was arrested before the required Section 126 notice was prepared or served.
Police and Uttar Pradesh Government View
The government said Chaudhary was arrested at 10:56 a.m. on April 12 and was served a notice under another BNSS provision, while denying that a prior Section 126 notice had been issued.
Police action during protests
Court and Defense View
Witnesses and a video reviewed by Scroll were cited as evidence that police assaulted protesters, including women; Scroll said its analysis placed the video in Noida’s Sector 6.
Police and Uttar Pradesh Government View
The Gautam Buddha Nagar police commissionerate said the video appeared morphed or AI-generated and did not seem to be from Noida.
- Detainee
- Aakriti Chaudhary, 25, a Delhi University history graduate from Durgapur, West Bengal
- Law invoked
- The National Security Act, which allows detention without trial for extended periods, potentially up to one year
- Court ruling
- The NSA detention order was quashed, with release directed unless Chaudhary was required in another case
- Compensation
- Noida authorities were ordered to pay Chaudhary Rs 5 lakh
- Police allegations
- Police alleged that Chaudhary and Satyam Verma significantly contributed to violence, arson and public disorder
- Procedural dispute
- The court questioned whether BNSS Section 126 notice requirements were completed before Chaudhary’s arrest
- Protest arrests
- Reports said about 40,000 to 45,000 workers attended and more than 350 people were arrested after the violence
Sources
Noida labour protest: Allahabad High Court quashes detention of 25-year-old under NSA
Allahabad HC grants major reprieve to Akriti Chaudhary in Noida workers’ violence case
Noida workers’ protest: HC quashes NSA detention of 25-year-old activist
Allahabad High Court quashes NSA detention of DU grad over Noida workers’ protest
"Concocted Story": Allahabad High Court Cancels 25-Year-Old's Detention Under NSA
