Allahabad High Court Quashes NSA Detention Of Student Activist Akriti Chaudhary

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention of 25-year-old student activist Akriti Chaudhary, who was arrested in connection with labourer protests in Noida in April 2026.

A bench of Justices Atul Shridharan and Achal Sachdeva allowed Chaudhary’s habeas corpus petition and ordered her immediate release unless she is required in another case.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the state said police arrested Chaudhary at 10:56 AM on April 12 and issued her a notice under Section 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Police alleged that she incited the crowd to stone-pelting and arson.

The bench questioned whether authorities had first issued a notice under Section 126 of the BNSS. The state acknowledged that no such notice had been issued.

The court examined the general diary entry. It found that Chaudhary was arrested before the notice was prepared.

The bench questioned whether she had been taken into custody before being produced before a magistrate.

The court further questioned the state’s claim that the April 11 protest had remained peaceful. It noted that the alleged violence appeared to have occurred after Chaudhary’s arrest.

The previous day, the court had asked the state to produce video evidence showing Chaudhary inciting stone-pelting or vehicle arson.

The state sought more time, but the court declined the request, noting that she had spent nearly five months in jail.

The NSA was invoked against Chaudhary and activist-journalist Satyam Verma on May 13.

Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh had claimed that authorities possessed strong electronic and video evidence against those arrested.

The court subsequently quashed Chaudhary’s detention.

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