Judgment

S. RATNAVEL PANDIAN, J.:- Leave granted.

2. The appellant/petitioner K.P.M. Basbeer by the above appeal is challenging the correctness and legality of the order dated 27th September, 1991 made by the High Court of Karnataka dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellant challenging the legality and validity of the order of detention dated 7-1-1991 passed by the State of Karnataka. The first respondent in the appeal, namely, the State of Karnataka in exercise of the powers conferred by S. 3(1) of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) passed the impugned detention order on 7th January, 1991 with a view to preventing him from engaging in keeping and transporting smuggled goods failing within the mischief of S. 3(1)(iii) of the Act. The appellant was directed to be detained and kept in the custody of the central prison, Bangalore.

3. The brief facts of the case which led to the passing of the impugned order can be summarised as follows:

On 12-11-1990 the Superintendent of Central Excise on information interrogated the appellant at the Belgaum bus stand on his arrival from Bombay in the presen