The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on a plea filed by Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam challenging an Allahabad High Court order that directed ₹5 lakh compensation to be recovered from her salary in a case involving the detention of Delhi University graduate Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA).
A bench comprising Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and N Kotiswar Singh heard appeals filed by Roopam and the Uttar Pradesh government against the Allahabad High Court’s September 2 judgment.
The High Court had quashed the detention of 25-year-old Chaudhary, who was arrested in connection with the Noida workers’ protest in April. It had also directed that ₹5 lakh be paid as compensation and recovered from the salaries of officials involved in the detention process.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Roopam, argued before the Supreme Court that the High Court had made strong observations against the district magistrate without issuing her notice. He said several officials were involved in the process leading to the detention order and argued that the remarks against Roopam were unwarranted.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, also argued that the detention proposal passed through several levels of officials before reaching the district magistrate. He said the police had arrested Chaudhary on April 12 and subsequently initiated the process under the NSA.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing Chaudhary, defended the High Court’s decision. The High Court had held that the detention was based on what it described as a “concocted” account and ordered Chaudhary’s immediate release.
The High Court had strongly criticised the manner in which the detention order was issued. It directed that its observations regarding the district administration and police be recorded in the service records of the concerned officials.
The court also ordered ₹5 lakh compensation and directed recovery from the salaries of the officials considered responsible, including the district magistrate and police personnel.
Chaudhary had been arrested in cases linked to the Noida workers’ protest in April 2026. The Uttar Pradesh Police later invoked the NSA against her and activist-journalist Satya Verma on May 13.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the Supreme Court allowed Chaudhary’s lawyer to file a response before reserving its order. The court’s decision will determine whether the High Court’s directions concerning the compensation and observations against the district magistrate will remain in place.
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