New Delhi, September 29, 2026: The Supreme Court has imposed a cost of ₹10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government in a case concerning the preventive detention of Mulla Afroz, an accused in the 2024 Sambhal violence case.

The Supreme Court held that a person’s preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA) cannot be based on an alleged confession made while the person was in police custody. The ruling came after Mulla Afroz challenged his detention before the apex court.

What is the case about?

Mulla Afroz was accused in connection with the violence that broke out in Sambhal in 2024 during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The violence resulted in the deaths of four people, according to the report.

Afroz subsequently challenged his detention, arguing that he had been implicated in the violence case on the basis of an alleged confession that was recorded while he was in custody.

The central legal issue before the Supreme Court was whether such an alleged confession made in police custody could legally be relied upon as a basis for ordering preventive detention under the National Security Act.

When was Mulla Afroz detained?

According to the report, Mulla Afroz was detained on October 13, 2025, under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980.

Preventive detention is different from ordinary criminal detention. Its purpose is not simply to punish someone for an offence that has already been committed. Instead, the law allows authorities, subject to statutory safeguards and judicial review, to detain a person to prevent certain anticipated activities that may threaten public order or security.

The Uttar Pradesh government defended the detention on the ground that the Sambhal violence had affected law and order and public peace.

Allahabad High Court had earlier rejected the challenge

Before approaching the Supreme Court, Mulla Afroz challenged his detention before the Allahabad High Court.

The High Court rejected his petition in June 2026.

Following the High Court’s decision, Afroz challenged the detention before the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition.

The Supreme Court then examined whether the material relied upon by the authorities was legally sufficient to justify his preventive detention under the NSA.

Supreme Court questions the alleged police confession

The alleged confession became one of the most important issues during the Supreme Court proceedings.

The court examined whether an alleged confession made by an accused while in police custody could be treated as material supporting an order of preventive detention.

The Supreme Court ultimately held that preventive detention cannot be ordered against a person on the basis of an alleged confession made by the accused while in police custody.

The ruling is significant because preventive detention is legally different from ordinary criminal prosecution. The court therefore examined whether the material used by the authorities could legally support an order of preventive detention.

Supreme Court hearing

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu.

The Supreme Court completed the hearing on September 8, 2026, and reserved its judgment.

During the proceedings, the court specifically examined the relevance of the alleged police-custody confession and whether it could legally support preventive detention under the National Security Act.

The judgment was delivered on September 29, 2026, with the court imposing a ₹10 lakh cost on the Uttar Pradesh government.

Why the ₹10 lakh cost matters

The ₹10 lakh amount imposed by the Supreme Court is described as a cost.

A court-imposed cost is different from a criminal fine or punishment. Costs are generally connected with legal proceedings and may be imposed by a court in appropriate circumstances.

In this case, the cost accompanied the Supreme Court’s decision concerning the legality of relying on the alleged police-custody confession for preventive detention.

Background: The 2024 Sambhal violence

The case originates from the violence in Sambhal in 2024.

The violence took place during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Four people were reported to have died in the violence.

Mulla Afroz was subsequently accused in connection with the case. His Supreme Court challenge, however, concerned not simply the criminal allegations but specifically his preventive detention under the National Security Act.

His legal challenge raised the question of whether material obtained from an alleged police-custody confession could be used to justify preventive detention.

The legal issue in simple terms

The case involves two separate legal processes.

1. Criminal prosecution

A person accused of an offence can face investigation, charges and a criminal trial. In such proceedings, the prosecution must establish the case according to the applicable criminal law.

2. Preventive detention

Preventive detention operates differently. It is intended to prevent anticipated conduct that falls within the scope of preventive-detention laws.

Because preventive detention permits authorities to detain a person without waiting for an ordinary criminal trial to conclude, the law contains safeguards governing how that power can be exercised.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case concerns the material that can legitimately be relied upon to justify preventive detention, particularly an alleged confession made during police custody.

What happened in the case, step by step?

The sequence is as follows:

1. 2024: Violence broke out in Sambhal during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, with four deaths reported.
2. October 13, 2025: Mulla Afroz was placed under preventive detention under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act.
3. June 2026: The Allahabad High Court rejected his challenge to the detention.
4. September 8, 2026: The Supreme Court completed the hearing and reserved its judgment.
5. September 29, 2026: The Supreme Court delivered its decision, holding that an alleged confession made in police custody could not form the basis for preventive detention and imposing ₹10 lakh in costs on the Uttar Pradesh government.

What is the significance of the judgment?

The case highlights the distinction between criminal proceedings and preventive detention.

Even when a person is accused in a criminal case, the material used to justify preventive detention must satisfy the legal requirements applicable to preventive detention.

The Supreme Court’s decision specifically addresses the use of an alleged police-custody confession as the basis for such detention.

The judgment also resulted in a substantial monetary cost being imposed on the Uttar Pradesh government.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision in the Mulla Afroz case concerns the legality of his preventive detention under the National Security Act following the 2024 Sambhal violence.

The court held that an alleged confession made while the accused was in police custody could not be used as the basis for preventive detention and imposed ₹10 lakh in costs on the Uttar Pradesh government.

The case had previously been rejected by the Allahabad High Court in June 2026 before reaching the Supreme Court.

The judgment therefore focuses primarily on the legal validity of the preventive detention and the material relied upon by the authorities, rather than determining the ultimate guilt or innocence of Mulla Afroz in the underlying Sambhal violence case.

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Four people died in rain-related incidents in the state in 24 hours last week, according to data from the Relief Commissioner’s Office.

Villages and Districts Affected by Floods-

Nearly 1,500 villages in 22 districts were affected by floods, and five people died in rain-related incidents in the last 24 hours in Uttar Pradesh, according to the state relief commissioner’s office on Sunday, July 14. Several rivers including the Ganga and the Yamuna, are overflowing because of rains in Uttar Pradesh.

Two people died in Pratapgarh, and one person each died in Raebareli and Siddharth Nagar due to drowning.

Rainfall and Rising Water Levels-

Uttar Pradesh recorded an average of 30 mm of rain in the last 24 hours in the past week, officials reported.
The rain has caused water levels in several rivers to rise.

“Teams of the NDRF and the SDRF are working with the local administration to handle flood-related issues in the affected areas.
We have set up 712 flood relief camps for people in affected areas and 226 animal shelters for their livestock,” said State Relief Commissioner Naveen Kumar.

According to details from the irrigation department, the Rapti River is flowing above the danger mark in Gorakhpur and Siddharthnagar,
the Ghaghra River in Ballia, the Ramganga River in Shahjahanpur, the Kunhara River in Siddharthnagar, and the Rohini River in Maharajganj.

In 30 districts, there has been heavy rain (over 120% of normal). In 14 districts, rain has been normal. In 15 districts, rain has been below normal.
In 10 districts, there has been very little rain. In six districts, less than 40% of the normal rain has fallen, according to the relief commissioner’s office.

Chief Minister’s Visit to Flood-Affected Areas-

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited some flood-affected areas in Lakhimpur Kheri and Pilibhit districts.
He checked the relief materials being provided in these areas.

Over 600 villages in the state have had both human life and agriculture affected by floods, while at least 52 other villages are currently facing erosion.

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Minister Scindia underscored the remarkable growth in airport development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He revealed that while only 74 airports were constructed in the first 65 years of India’s independence, the last nine years witnessed the development of 75 airports, heliports, and waterdromes, bringing the total count to 149.

Highlighting the government’s focus on greenfield airports, Minister Scindia noted that only three such airports were built in the first 65 years, whereas the current government, since 2014, has successfully developed 12 greenfield airports. The commitment to enhancing air connectivity is evident in these efforts to expand aviation infrastructure.

Speaking specifically about Uttar Pradesh, Minister Scindia pointed out that only six airports were developed in the state over 65 years. However, in the last nine years, three more airports have been constructed, and he announced ambitious plans for nine additional airports in the next two years. This significant investment is poised to elevate Uttar Pradesh’s connectivity and contribute to the economic development of the state.

Responding to a query about the Meerut airport, Minister Scindia provided insights into its status and future prospects. He mentioned that the Meerut airport is currently unlicensed and identified during the third round of bidding under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to enhance regional air connectivity. The Meerut-Lucknow-Meerut route has been awarded to FlyBig under UDAN 4.2, with plans for the operation of RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) flights using 19-seater aircraft.

However, the minister highlighted that operations with ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) aircraft using VFR (Visual Flight Rating) can commence once the state government provides an additional 115 acres of land. He clarified that the Meerut airport must undergo the licensing process before Selected Airlines Operators can initiate RCS flights.

This strategic approach to airport development aligns with the government’s vision of expanding air connectivity, making air travel more accessible, and fostering economic growth in various regions. The emphasis on greenfield airports and the UDAN scheme reflects a commitment to bridging gaps in regional connectivity, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh.

As the aviation sector continues to play a crucial role in India’s economic development, these initiatives aim to create a robust and inclusive air transport network. The announcement of nine new airports in Uttar Pradesh signifies a significant step toward realizing the vision of a well-connected and economically vibrant India.

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According to reports, the holiday calendar for 2024 has not only removed holidays for Hartalika Teej and Jitiya but has also extended the summer vacation days from 20 to 30. The decision to increase holidays for Muslim festivals has raised concerns and triggered accusations of bias.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai strongly criticized the Bihar government’s move, describing it as appeasement politics. He asserted that the reduction of holidays for Hindu festivals and the simultaneous increase in holidays for Muslim festivals was a clear indication of biased decision-making. Rai, in an interview with ANI, expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged favoritism, stating, “Sabotaging Hindus’ sentiments like this is not good. Hindus of Bihar are watching and they are seeing this biasedness, when the time comes, they will give a befitting reply. This decision must be changed, and BJP won’t sit quietly on this matter.”

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Rai went on to demand the withdrawal of the revised holiday calendar, emphasizing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not remain silent on the issue. He stated, “This type of appeasement behavior is not going to work in Bihar. Appeasement is harmful to the development of the country, so the Nitish government should take back its decision.”

Union Minister Ashwini Choubey also expressed discontent with the Bihar government’s holiday calendar, accusing it of displaying an “anti-Hindu face.” Choubey highlighted what he perceived as a discrepancy in the treatment of festivals, where holidays for Muslim festivals were extended while those for Hindu festivals were abolished.

As tensions escalate, the controversy underscores the delicate balance that governments often face when managing diverse religious sentiments. The allegations of appeasement politics and the call for the withdrawal of the revised holiday calendar highlight the need for a nuanced approach that respects the cultural and religious diversity within the state of Bihar. The evolving situation will likely continue to draw attention and spark discussions on the importance of maintaining a fair and inclusive holiday calendar that reflects the sentiments of all communities.

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