JUDGMENT - A.M. KHANWILKAR, J.:---All these five writ petitions, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seek to challenge the respective detention orders passed by Shri R.H. Mendonca, Commissioner of Police, Birhan Mumbai, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 3(1) of Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as the Act 55 of 1981) with a view to prevent the detenus therein from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of Public Order.

2. That each of the detenu in the respective writ petition has been detained on the ground that he is a dangerous person of violent character and a weapon wielding desperado indulging in terrorizing activities. The grounds of detention served on each of the detenu mention that they were indulging in criminal activities and had created a reign of terror in the minds of public in the areas of Geetanagar and areas adjoining thereto within the jurisdiction of Colaba Police Station in Brihan Mumbai, for they were moving armed with deadly weapons such as chopper, knife and sword and did not hesitate to use the same while c

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