New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) stayed the operation of the Allahabad High Court judgment that had quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention of Delhi University student Akriti Chaudhary and imposed ₹5 lakh compensation, to be recovered from officials including Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam IAS.
A bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and N Kotiswar Singh passed the interim order while hearing two petitions—one filed by DM Medha Roopam and another by the Uttar Pradesh government challenging the High Court judgment. The Supreme Court specifically stayed paragraphs 27 to 33 of the High Court order, which contained the court’s strictures against the district administration and the compensation direction.
The Allahabad High Court had on September 2 quashed Chaudhary’s detention under the NSA in connection with the Noida workers’ protest and held that the detention order and grounds lacked material and were passed without proper application of mind. It awarded ₹5 lakh compensation and directed that the amount be recovered from the salary of DM Medha Roopam and other officials responsible for the detention process, down to the SHO who prepared the initial report.
During the Supreme Court hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Medha Roopam, argued that the strictures against the officer were unwarranted and that several administrative levels were involved before the District Magistrate formed her opinion.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, also argued that the DM was only one link in the decision-making chain. He submitted that the proposal originated at the SHO level, passed through the police hierarchy, and that the detention order was subsequently considered by the Advisory Board and approved by the State and Union Governments under the NSA.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared for Akriti Chaudhary, and the Supreme Court allowed her to file a counter-affidavit. The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 7, 2026.
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