The Allahabad High Court has quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention of 25-year-old Delhi University graduate Aakriti Chaudhary, strongly criticising.
The Uttar Pradesh police and administration for what it termed an excessive and casual use of state power. A bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev quashed Chaudhary’s detention on September 2. In its 15-page order, the court warned that continued misuse of authority by officials could push Uttar Pradesh towards an “Orwellian Dystopia”.
Chaudhary was detained in connection with protests by workers in Noida held around five months ago. The protests and subsequent violence led to a police crackdown, with 15 FIRs registered, hundreds of people booked and at least 60 arrested.
Court rejects police’s claim
The police had cited video footage showing a large gathering of men and women near lamp posts, along with footage of a person apparently addressing the crowd.
The court, however, found that the videos did not show the protesters as violent or armed. It noted that there were no visible sticks, stones or other objects that could be used to commit violence.
According to the bench, the footage instead appeared to show people exercising their constitutional right to free speech and protesting over demands for higher wages and humane working hours.
Officials face court’s ire
The bench also criticised the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate and police officials for the manner in which the dossier against Chaudhary was prepared.
The court said the officials’ conduct should be recorded in their service records and held that the “casual and cavalier” exercise of state authority had violated Chaudhary’s constitutional rights.
It awarded her Rs 5 lakh in compensation, considering the amount adequate for the violation of her rights.
Strong warning to UP bureaucracy
The court said government officials who discharge their responsibilities in accordance with their oath earn the trust and respect of citizens. But when officials disregard their obligations and act against constitutional protections, they risk generating public anger and civil unrest.
The bench warned that courts may take strict action against such excesses, particularly when civil liberties are curtailed without sufficient cause or due process.
“Else, it shan’t be long before the errant in the bureaucracy reduce the State of Uttar Pradesh to an Orwellian Dystopia,” the court said.
The ruling comes as families of people arrested after the Noida protests continue to await clarity on their cases. Among those booked are people from diverse backgrounds, including a mason, a history graduate, an NIT graduate and a private-sector employee.
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