JUDGMENT

M.K. Mukherjee, J.-Leave granted in all these petitions. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

2. On a First Information Report (F.I.R.) lodged by the Superintendent of Police, Special Operation Unit (SOU), Assam, a case under Sections 120 B, 121, 121A and 122 of the Indian Penal Code and 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 ( Act for short) was registered by the SOU Police Station. The F.I.R. was based on reports collected from various parts of the State of Assam regarding secessional activities of some militant organisations including United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). In connection with that case three ULFA activists were arrested by the police at Mumbai Airport on August 23, 1997. It is alleged that their interrogation revealed that their hotel bills and the medical bill of one of them, namely Mrs. Pranati Deka, who was admitted in a hospital for child birth, were borne by TATA Tea Company Ltd. ( Company for short) under instructions from, amongst others, Shamsher Singh Dogra, the General Manager of the Company. A few days later, a report appeared in various newspapers circulating throughout the country of a Press Conference held by th