The Bombay High Court has set aside the externment order against Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) state general secretary Saeed Ahmad Abdul Wahid Chaudhary, observing that citizens cannot be banished from a city merely for protesting against government policies or raising anti-government slogans.
Justice Madhav Jamdar ruled that the externment order violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and the right to life with dignity. The court remarked that citizens have the constitutional right to express their opinions and that police function as public servants, not as representatives of any political government.
The court questioned the basis of the action against Chaudhary, noting that participation in protests against issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and other government policies cannot, by itself, justify externment. It also observed that similar protests have taken place across the country on various issues, including the NEET paper leak.
Chaudhary had challenged the December 2025 externment order, which required him to leave Mumbai and neighbouring districts for one year. Authorities had cited his involvement in protests, public speeches, and demonstrations that allegedly disrupted traffic and public order.
While hearing the petition, the High Court described the action against him as “malafide” and held that the externment order was unconstitutional. The bench subsequently quashed the order, reaffirming that peaceful political dissent and criticism of government policies are protected under constitutional rights.
