( 1 ) CHALLENGE in this group of writ petitions is to the validity of detention pursuant to the order dated 26-6-1999 passed separately in each case, though on identical grounds, under sub-section (2) read with sub-section (3) of Section 3 of National Security Act, 1980 with a view to preventing the detenu from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of the public order.

( 2 ) THE ground of detention pertains to an incident of murder which took place on 9-6-1999 in broad day light at 11. 30 in which Upendra son of Mam Chandra was brutally murdered and Smt. Shanti wife of Mam Chandra and Anand, brother-in-law of Mam Chandra were seriously injured. Case CRIME number 308 of 1999 under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 504, 506, 34 IPC and Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act and case Crime No. 310 of 1999 under Section 25 (4) of Arms Act, 1959 were registered at P. S. Loni, district Ghaziabad on the basis of the said incident. The detenu Ram Lal and Man Singh were arrested on the spot along with their respective weapons used in the incident, Satish, petitioner of Habeas Corpus Petition No. 39612 of 1999 was also arrested on the spot. Since the detention ord