The Supreme Court also set aside the Allahabad High Court’s decision upholding the detention order issued against Afroz. Additionally, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government.
संभल हिंसा मामले में सुप्रीम कोर्ट में मुल्ला अफरोज की जीत, NSA हिरासत रद्द, आदित्यनाथ सरकार पर 10 लाख का लगा जुर्माना
Headline…
- Supreme Court quashes the preventive detention of Mulla Afroz, an accused in the Sambhal violence case, ordered under the NSA.
- The Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government for issuing an unlawful detention order.
- The Court stated that a person cannot be placed under preventive detention solely on the basis of an extra-judicial confession.
The Supreme Court has quashed the detention of Mulla Afroz, ordered under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, in connection with the Sambhal violence case. The Court also set aside the Allahabad High Court’s verdict that had upheld the detention order issued against Afroz. Additionally, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government.
What did the Court say?
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu delivered the verdict on the matter on Tuesday, September 29. The Court stated that an extra-judicial confession—a confession made outside the court—cannot serve as the sole ground for placing an individual under preventive detention. The Court observed that while deciding on detention, the concerned authority must also consider other circumstances and available facts related to the case. According to the Court, the authorities failed to do so in Mulla Afroz’s case, and the powers of detention were not exercised properly.
Fine of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government
The Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government after finding the preventive detention order to be unlawful. The Court held that essential aspects had not been adequately considered at the time the detention order was issued.
What is the NSA? Under the National Security Act (NSA), central and state governments can place an individual under preventive detention if their activities are deemed a threat to national security or public order. The maximum period of detention under the NSA is 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier depending on the circumstances. Local authorities are also empowered to issue detention orders under this law.
A provision exists for an advisory board—chaired by a sitting or former High Court judge—to review detention orders. Preventive detention differs from a standard criminal arrest, as its objective is to forestall a potential act before it occurs.
What is the case about?
Mulla Afroz is an accused in the violence that took place in Sambhal in November 2024. The violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Four people died and several others were injured in the incident. Mulla Afroz was arrested approximately 54 days after the violence; his arrest was based on an alleged confession made while in police custody. However, the Allahabad High Court subsequently granted him bail.
On October 13, 2025, a detention order under the NSA was issued against Mulla Afroz. The Allahabad High Court upheld this order. Afroz then challenged the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court.
What arguments were presented in the Supreme Court?
Counsel for the petitioner argued in the Supreme Court that there were allegations of police firing during the violence, yet this aspect had not been impartially investigated. The petitioner also sought permission to file a ‘protest petition’ regarding the matter. After hearing the case, the Supreme Court quashed the detention order issued under the NSA.
Follow Us on… 
+