2007 Supreme(Bom) 143
IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
(K.J. Rohee and S.R. Dongaonkar, JJ.)
RAJESH S/O HANUMANPRASAD PANDE- Petitioner
Versus
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA and others Respondents.
Cri. W. P. No. 448 of 2006
Decided on 5-2-2007
Advocates appeared
For petitioner: S. A. Brahme with M. I. Dhatrak
For respondent/State: D. B. Patel, APP
Important Points
Subject
Criminal Law - Preventive Detention
Act Referred
Headnote
Detention Order - Challenge under Article 226 of the Constitution of India - Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act, 1981 - Section 3(1) - Summary of Acts and Sections: MPDA Act, 1981, Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code - The court discussed the grounds of detention, delay in passing the detention order, and the impact of the detenu's activities on public order. Key legal provisions such as the distinction between law and order and public order, and the potentiality of the act in question were considered in reaching the decision.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner challenges the detention order passed under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act, 1981. The detention order was challenged on grounds of delay, lack of live and proximate link between the grounds of detention and the purpose of detention, and violation of the detenu's rights under Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that there was no unreasonable delay in passing the detention order and that there was a live and proximate link between the grounds of detention and the purpose of detention. The court also held that the detenu's activities affected public order, justifying the detention order.
Issues: Unreasonable delay, live and proximate link between grounds of detention and purpose of detention, violation of detenu's rights under Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the distinction between law and order and public order, and the potentiality of the detenu's activities in affecting public order. The court also emphasized the discretion of the executive authority in matters of preventive detention.
Final Decision: The petition was dismissed, and the detention order was upheld.
K. J. ROHEE, J.:- Heard.
2. Rule. Returnable forthwith. Heard finally with the consent of the parties.
3. By this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner challenges the detention order dated 11-7-2006 passed by Respondent No.2 namely the District Magistrate, Yavatmal.
4. The petitioner is the brother of Swadesh alias Guddu Hanumanprasad Pande, Rio Ghatanji, District Yavatmal (the detenu). On the proposal submitted by the Sponsoring Authority (Respondent No.3) the Detaining Authority (Respondent No.2) issued an order dated 11-7-2006 under section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as the MPDA Act). In pursuance of the said order the brother of the petitioner was detained on 12-7-2006.
5. The detention order has been challenged on several grounds. Firstly while detaining the petitioner's brother Police Station officer of Police Station, Ghatanji handed over copy of detention order along with the grounds of detention to the petitioner. These documents were not supplied to the detenu. Secondly these documents are in English and its Marathi' translation was provided. However, the detenu does not know English or Marathi and he knows only Hindi language. According to the petitioner the detention order was passed by the Detaining Authority without applying its mind independently, without its subjective satisfaction and mechanically accepted the proposal submitted by the Sponsoring Authority. Thus, it is the outcome of non-application of mind. The period of detention is not specified in the detention order. There is no live and proximate link between the grounds of detention and the purpose of detention. There is unreasonable delay between the date of the alleged incident and the date of detention. The incidents referred to by the Detaining Authority are not sufficient to come to the conclusion that the detenu would continue to indulge in the activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. The Detaining Authority did not apprise the detenu that he has a right to make representation to the Detaining Authority itself, thereby the valuable right of the detenu under Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India is violated.
6. The prosecution against the detenu in Crime No. 132/1995 under sections 353, 332 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code has been withdrawn by the State on 28-10-1999. By judgment dated 30-4-2005 the detenu has been acquitted in Crime No. 3/1996 for the offence punishable under sections 323, 353, 448, 294, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and under section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The report on the basis of which Crime No. 104/2004 was registered against the detenu was by way of counter blast. Crime No. 19512005 under sections 353, 506 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Crime No. 49/2006 under section 306 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code are based on false complaints. Offences under the Bombay Prohibition Act and the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act have been registered against the detenu only to harass him and that they cannot be taken as ground for detention. It was further contended that the Sponsoring Authority as well as Detaining Authority did not properly verify in camera statements and no reliance could be placed on those statements. Thus the impugned detention order is illegal and it should be quashed and set aside by paying compensation of Rs. 10 Lacs to the detenu for his illegal detention.
7. Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 filed their reply-affidavit denying the allegations made by the petitioner. According to the respondents the detention order is perfectly legal. It was approved by the State Government within the statutory time and was subsequently confirmed by the State. According to the respondents the petition is without any substance and is liable to be dis