Supreme Court Quashes Afroz’s Detention, Orders ₹10 Lakh Costs

The Supreme Court of India quashed Mulla Afroz’s preventive detention under the National Security Act and set aside the Allahabad High Court ruling that had upheld it, ordering the Uttar Pradesh government to pay ₹10 lakh in costs. The court said an alleged confession made in police custody could not, by itself, provide sufficient grounds for preventive detention, and found that the detaining authority had failed to consider appropriate material. The ruling also nullified the Sambhal District Magistrate’s detention order and its subsequent confirmation. The Supreme Court allowed Afroz’s appeal, which challenged the material used to justify his detention. A detailed judgment is awaited, so the full reasoning behind the decision has not yet been reported. The case concerns Afroz’s detention under the NSA in connection with violence in Sambhal in November 2024. According to the reports, the District Magistrate ordered his detention on October 13, 2025. The Allahabad High Court had upheld the order before Afroz appealed to the Supreme Court.