In the Noida labor movement case, Allahabad High Court has strongly commented on the administration's decision by canceling the custody of Aakriti Choudhary under the National Security Act (NSA). The court completely quashed the action taken under NSA and directed Noida DM Medha Rupam to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to Aakriti Choudhary from her personal salary. The matter is related to the labor demonstration that took place in Noida on 13 April. The workers were protesting demanding increase in minimum wage and improvement in working conditions.
There were incidents of stone pelting and arson at some places during the demonstration. Aakriti Chaudhary, a 25-year-old social activist who is a history graduate from Delhi University, was also present there in support of the movement. The police accused him of inciting violence and he was later kept in custody for about five months.
Why did the court raise questions on the action of NSA?
During the hearing of the case, serious questions were raised in the court regarding the custody of Aakriti Chaudhary. According to government records, the police took them into custody on 11 or 12 April, while the main violent incidents during the movement took place on 13 April. Based on this point, the court raised questions on the allegations of the administration. The court asked that if Aakriti Choudhary was taken into police custody even before the violence, how could she have played a role in instigating the violence that took place two days later?
Claims like foreign funding and alleged solid video evidence were made by the administration in the case. However, concrete evidence could not be presented before the court to prove these claims. The court termed the story of the government and the administration as a fabricated story and said that sufficient concrete evidence was not put forward in support of the allegations.
Who is Medha Rupam?
Medha Rupam is a 2014 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre and is currently posted as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar. He was born on 24 October 1989 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his schooling in Kerala and then came to Delhi and studied. He obtained BA Honors degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Medha Rupam's husband Manish Bansal is also a 2014 batch IAS officer. He is posted in Uttar Pradesh cadre and is currently working as the District Magistrate of Saharanpur. Medha Rupam's father is Gyanesh Kumar, who is the Chief Election Commissioner.
Before becoming the District Magistrate of Noida, Medha Rupam had handled many important administrative responsibilities. She has also been the District Magistrate of Kasganj and Hapur. Apart from this, he also worked as Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) in Greater Noida Authority. During this period, he had responsibilities related to important projects like Jewar Airport and Film City.