2003 Supreme(MP) 172

2003(2). JLJ 43
Bhawani Singh, C.J. and S.L. Jain, J.
Ravi Tiwari and others v. Union of India and others
W.P. No. 3419 of 2002; Decided on 28.1.2003.

Headnote:National Security Act, 1980 -- Ss. 3(2), 9, 12 and 16 -- detention of person without recourse of law -- powers given under the Act -should be exercised with extreme conviction -- detenue should be given effective opportunity for representation -- subjective satisfaction cannot be recorded lightly -- detention not for legal grounds -- liable to be . quashed.

        Learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners, submits that necessary safe guards as to the procedure and hearing have not been taken care of by the authority nor extended opportunity to make effective representation against the detention orders, since material documents have not been supplied and extraneous matters have influenced the District Magistrate in passing the orders of detention. Moreover, the petitioners have been detained for political considerations at the instance of persons yielding great influence. [Para 5

        Held: National Security Act, 1980 (for Short ‘Act of 1980‘) confers extraordinary powers on the executive to detain a person without recourse to the ordinary law of land and trial by Courts. Such a law has to be construed strictly. The power conferred by such a law has to be exercised with extreme care and scrupulously within the bounds laid down in such law. 1972(3) SCC 845 and 1992 CrLJ 1910 followed,

        Since very drastic powers of detention without trial are conferred on subordinate officers, the State Government is expected to apply its mind and make a careful choice regarding the period during which such power shall be exercised by the subordinate officers, which would solely depend on the circumstances prevailing or likely to prevail. The subjective satisfaction cannot be lightly recorded by reproducing both the alternative clauses of the statute. The subjective satisfaction on the prevailing circumstances, or circumstances that are likely to prevail at a future date is the sine qua non for the exercise of power. 2002(3) SCC 451 followed, [Para 7

        From the aforesaid reports, it is crystal clear that participation by the petitioners is not recorded. ... Consequently, in absence of relevant material demonstrating clearly vicious conduct of the petitioners individually, collectively or their inter-se relations, the District Magistrate ought to have been on guard to deal with the matter for arriving at his subjective satisfaction.

        The result of the aforesaid discussion is that the detention orders are ‘not based on proper application of mind, after perusal of relevant materials, therefore, they cannot be sustained. [Paras 10 & 11

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