ARUNACHALAM, J.

( 1 ) THESE three Habeas Corpus Petitions are disposed of together by a common order, since the detenus concerned are stated to be involved in the same ground crime and most of the arguments advanced are identical. In respect of two of the detenus, one additional ground was urged, which, we will refer to at the appropriate stage.

( 2 ) VARTHAMALAI, petitioner in H. C. P. No. 2363 of 1993 is a friend of detenu Balu Singh, who has been detained in pursuance of an order of detention dated 22. 11. 1993, passed by the first respondent in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 (1) of the Prevention of illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 (Central Act 46 of 1988) with a view to preventing the detenu from engaging in illicit traffic in narcotic drugs (opium ).

( 3 ) PETITIONER Vceramani in H. C. P. No. 2367 of 1993, is the brother-in-law of detenu Madesh, who has been similarly detained in pursuance of an order of detention passed by the same authority on the same day for the same purpose.

( 4 ) AMMANIAMMAL petitioner in H. C. P. No. 2368 of 1993 is the wife of detenu Kandan who has also been detained similarly as the other