JUDGMENT

Quadri, J.-(for Thomas, J. and himself).-Leave is granted.

2. The appellant is the mother of the detenue, Smt. Lakshmi, who was detained by Order No. BDFGIS No. 38 of 1998 dated 12.4.1980, passed by the second respondent under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-Offenders, Forest-Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1982 (for short "the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982"). Her challenge to the said order in a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, HCP No. 659 of 1998, before the Division Bench of the High Court of Madras having been unsuccessful, she is before us by special leave against the order of the High Court dated 5.10.1998, dismissing the said petition.

3. The detenue was ordered to be detained by the second respondent on the ground that she was a bootlegger within the meaning of the said Act and was indulging in activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public health and public order. He referred to four cases filed under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937 in which she was found guilty and was fined, Rs. 250 in two cases and Rs. 350 in two cases. On the day when she was