India, Sept. 17 -- If court decisions make the police and administration hesitant to act against violence and disorder, it may encourage a tendency to violate the law. The recent decision of the Allahabad High Court quashing the arrest of activist Aakriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA) raises questions that go well beyond the individual case. It concerns the larger responsibility of the police and administration to maintain law and order, protect public safety and safeguard the constitutional rights of citizens.

The Government has reportedly decided to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court. The High Court, while doing so, questioned the evidence presented by the state authorities, described the police version a...