(1) THIS Writ Petition is filed by a detenu challenging the order of detention passed against him on 2/8/99 under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (hereinafter referred to as COFEPOSA). The detention actually commenced on 4/8/99 and it is for a period of one year. We are told that presently the detenu is on parole and the parole is being extended by orders of this Court.

(2) THE detention order was passed in the following background. The petitioner arrived at Anna International Airport on 25/4/99 in the company of one Radhakrishnan Prabhakaran. The Petitioner was an Assistant Public Relation Officer attached to the Department of Tourism under the Government of Tamil Nadu. On suspicion, the petitioner and his co-traveller - Radhakrishnan Prabhakaran were intercepted and on search 102 mobile phones were detected from the baggage of the petitioner alone and from the baggage of his co-traveller 92 mobile phones were detected. Both of them were arrested on the next day and their statements were separately recorded. Petitioner was released on bail on 28/6/99.

(3) THE preventive detention order was passed against Radhakr