Judgment

SARKARIA, J.:- The petitioner challenges the validity of the order of his detention made by the District Magistrate of 24 Parganas on 10-12-1973 The order states that the detention has open made with a view to preventing the petitioner from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.

2. The detention order is founded on two incidents, the facts of which were communicated to the detenu in the grounds of detention as follows:

"1. That on 19-7-73 at about 02.00 hrs. you along with your associates Mati Lal Shaw and others of Titagarh cut down and stole away copper wires worth about Rs. 1035-00 from six electric posts from Tittagarh Jute Mill Mazdur Line, P. S. Tittagarh Distt. 24-Parganas, causing serious disruptions to the maintenance of supplies and services of power and light in the area which is essential to the community.

You, thus acted in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.

2. That on 28-7-73 at about 23.00 hrs. you along with your associates Matilal Shaw and others of Tittagarh broke open transformer of the deep tube well at Palitpara, P. S. Ranaghat, Distt.