IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
K.T. SANKARAN, B. SUDHEENDRA KUMAR, JJ.
NIRMALA SOMAN - PETITIONER
Vs.
STATE OF KERALA & Ors. - RESPONDENTS
WP(Crl.).No. 275 of 2015
Decided on : 17-08-2015
KAAPA - Detention Order - Section 3(1) - 2(t) - 107 Cr.P.C. - [2007 (KAAPA)] - [Section 3(1), Section 2(t), Section 107 Cr.P.C.] - The court discussed the interpretation of Clause (iii) of Section 2(p) of the KAAPA, the purpose and object of an order of detention under Section 3 of the KAAPA, and the live link between the prejudicial activity and the order of detention. The court also considered the impact of the activities which attract the KAAPA and the delay in passing the order of detention.
Fact of the Case:
The detenu was detained under Section 3(1) of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 based on his involvement in five crimes registered at Aroor and Kuruppampadi Police Stations. The detaining authority directed the Police to file a final report in the latest crime due to conflicting interpretations of the Act by the High Court. The petitioner challenged the order of detention on the ground of unexplainable delay and mechanical issuance of the order.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the detaining authority was justified in directing the Police to file the final report due to conflicting interpretations of the Act by the High Court. The court also held that the purpose and object of an order of detention under Section 3 of the KAAPA is different from the purpose and object of an order under Section 107 Cr.P.C. The court rejected the contention of the petitioner regarding the delay in passing the order of detention.
Issues: The issues involved the interpretation of Clause (iii) of Section 2(p) of the KAAPA, the purpose and object of an order of detention under Section 3 of the KAAPA, and the impact of the activities which attract the KAAPA. The court also addressed the delay in passing the order of detention.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the detaining authority was justified in directing the Police to file the final report due to conflicting interpretations of the Act by the High Court. The court also emphasized that the purpose and object of an order of detention under Section 3 of the KAAPA is different from the purpose and object of an order under Section 107 Cr.P.C. The court further ruled that the delay in passing the order of detention was satisfactorily explained by the authorities.
Final Decision: The Writ Petition was dismissed by the court.
K.T. Sankaran J.
Shijeev alias Shee, the son of the petitioner was detained as per the order dated 05.03.2015 passed by the third respondent under Section 3(1) of the Kerala Anti- Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (hereinafter referred to as 'the KAAPA'). The order of detention was executed on 13.03.2015. The Advisory Board opined that there are sufficient grounds for detaining Shijeev@Shee. The Government confirmed the order of detention as per order dated 23.04.2015 and held that the period of detention would be six months from the date of detention. The order of detention is under challenge in this Writ Petition.
2. Certain facts are not in dispute. The detenu is involved in five crimes registered at Aroor and Kuruppampadi Police Stations for offences of the nature mentioned in Section 2(t) of the KAAPA. Those crimes were registered in the years 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2014. The detention order was passed on the subjective satisfaction that with a view to prevent the detenu from committing any anti social activity within the State of Kerala in any manner, it was necessary to make an order directing him to be detained. Proceedings under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (for short 'the Cr.P.C.') were taken against the detenu in 2004 and 2011. In the proceedings under Section 107 Cr.P.C. initiated in 2011, the detenu executed a bond. During the period of currency of the bond, the detenu was not involved in any crime. However, after the expiry of the period of the bond, he was involved in three crimes. The last of the crimes was allegedly committed on 8.9.2014. In that case, the final report was filed on 21.1.2015. As mentioned above, the order of detention was issued on 5.3.2015.
3. Adv. Shri. K.R. Vinod, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that paragraph No.2 of the order of detention would show that after the sponsoring authority submitted the report, the third respondent returned the file on the ground that the last crime was committed on 6.12.2013, that is, one year before and therefore, it was necessary to file a final report in the crime allegedly committed on 8.9.2014 after completing the investigation. Thereafter, the investigation was completed in the crime registered on 8.9.2014 and a final report was filed. Thereafter, the Sponsoring Authority submitted its report to the District Magistrate on 28.2.2015. The District Magistrate (third respondent) passed the order of detention on the basis of that report dated 28.02.2015. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the District Magistrate was satisfied that there was unexplainable delay and that was why he issued a direction to the Police to complete the investigation in the latest crime and to submit a final report. It is submitted that such a procedure adopted by the District Magistrate itself would show that the order was passed deliberately and not on the basis of impartial subjective satisfaction arrived at by the Detaining Authority.
4. Shri. Tom Jose Padinjarekkara, the learned Additional Director General of Prosecution submitted that the District Magistrate returned the file with a direction to the Police to submit a final report only on the ground that there were conflicting decisions on the question of the interpretation of Clause (iii) of Section 2(p) of the KAAPA. Two Division Benches of this Court took the view that the wording of Clause (iii) of Section 2(p) of the KAAPA would indicate that it is not necessary to submit a final report in a case in order to take into account that particular case for the purpose of passing the order of detention and that it would be sufficient, if on investigation or enquiry by a competent Police Officer or other authority, it is found that the person concerned has committed any offence. Another Division Bench took the view that only after the final report is filed in a particular case, that case could be counted for the objective satisfaction under Sub Clause (iii) of Clause (p
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Abdul Salam alias Thiyyan v. Union of India (AIR 1990 SC 1446)
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T.A. Abdul Rahman v. State of Kerala (AIR 1990 SC 225)
Jimesh Jose v. State of Kerala (2013(1) KHC 49)
Haradhan Saha and others v. State of West Bengal [1975 (3) SCC 198]
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