Noida Dm’s Plea Before Supreme Court Raises Questions Over Roster, Special Assignment

(Judicial Quest News Network)

Delhi, 23,9,2026-The listing of petitions filed by Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam and the Uttar Pradesh Government against the Allahabad High Court’s order in the Akriti Chaudhary detention case has raised questions regarding roster allocation and the exercise of the Chief Justice’s administrative powers.

The petitions were heard by a Bench comprising Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and NK Singh, although preventive detention and habeas corpus matters under the prevailing roster are assigned to the senior-most Benches, including the Bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna. Several connected petitions arising from the Noida workers’ protest are already pending before that Bench.

The Supreme Court Bench has stayed the High Court’s order, which had quashed Chaudhary’s detention under the National Security Act and directed payment of ₹5 lakh compensation recoverable from the District Magistrate’s salary.

Since the matter falls under the category of habeas corpus and preventive detention cases reportedly not included in Justice Sharma’s regular roster the listing has prompted speculation that it may have been specially assigned.

Under established practice, such special assignments fall within the administrative domain of the Chief Justice of India.