The Uttar Pradesh government is set to challenge an Allahabad High Court judgment in the Supreme Court that quashed a National Security Act (NSA) detention order issued by Noida District Magistrate Medha Roopam against a student. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the apex court of the state government's decision on Wednesday during judicial proceedings. The High Court had earlier set aside the detention order and imposed a compensation penalty to be recovered directly from the magistrate's salary.
High Court Ruling and Compensation Order
The Allahabad High Court had recently annulled the detention of a student who was taken into custody under the stringent NSA in connection with a labor protest in Noida. Expressing strong displeasure over the administrative action, the High Court observed that the detention order was issued casually and without proper application of mind by the district administration. Taking a stern view of the procedural flaw, the court directed that the student be paid 5 lakh rupees in compensation. Furthermore, the bench explicitly specified that this compensation amount must be recovered from the personal salary of Noida DM Medha Roopam.
Supreme Court Proceedings and Judicial Queries
The issue surfaced in the Supreme Court on Wednesday while a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was hearing a separate matter concerning student protests. That case pertained to a show-cause notice served to a student in Greater Noida for participating in a CJP demonstration. During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant raised serious questions regarding the issuance of such notices. The Chief Justice pointed out that when the judiciary has already restrained authorities from taking strict action against students for participating in peaceful demonstrations, it was concerning how such administrative notices were still being dispatched.
Administrative Clarification and Challenge to HC Order
Addressing the bench, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified the administrative details surrounding the show-cause notice. He informed the court that the media had been directing questions at Noida DM Medha Roopam over the issue, but clarified that the notice was not issued by the Noida DM, but rather by the Executive Magistrate of Greater Noida. During the exchange, Chief Justice Surya Kant made a reference to the Allahabad High Court decision that quashed the NSA order passed by the Noida DM and directed compensation. In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta affirmed that the Uttar Pradesh government will formally file an appeal in the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court's ruling.
