JUDGMENT :

1. Since the issues raised in all the connected Habeas Corpus petitions are one and the same and hence they have been heard together and are being decided by this common judgment. Heard Sri Nazrul Islam Jafri learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Sharique Ahmed, Sri Ali Zamal Khan and Sri Sadaful Islam Jafri learned Advocates for the petitioners, Ms. Nand Prabha Shukla learned A.G.A. for the State-respondents and Sri Shashi Dhar Sahai learned Standing Counsel for the Union of India.

2. The petitioners herein have been detained under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980 (herein after referred to as “NSA”).

The prayer in the writ petitions is to quash the order dated 3.9.2020 passed by the District Magistrate, Mau invoking powers under Section 3(2) of the NSA as also the order dated 23.10.2020 passed by the State Government extending the period of detention for three months under Section 12(1) of the NSA.

Certain dates of the proceedings undertaken against the petitioners are relevant to be noted at the outset.

3. In an incident occurred on 16.12.2019 at about 6:30 PM, a first information report was lodged against 85 named persons and 600 unnamed on 17.12.2019, by