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2023 Supreme(Manipur) 18

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL
Ahanthem Bimol Singh, A. Guneshwar Sharma, JJ.
Md. Jahiya Khan S/o Jakir Khan @ Hussain - Appellant
Vs.
The Union of India represented by the Joint Secretary (PIT-NDPS), Government of India, New Delhi & Ors. - Respondent
W.P.(Crl.) No. 58 of 2023
Decided On : 25-07-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Mr. Th. Jugindro, Adv.
For the Respondents: Mr. S. Samarjeet, Sr. PCCG, Mr. Phungyo Zingkhei, Dy. G.A.

Headnote:(A) Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 - Section 3(1) and Section 9(b) - Petition challenging preventive detention order issued under PIT-ND&PS Act for non-application of mind and mandatory provisions violation - Court found that detention order could not be executed timely - Issues of delay in representation disposal raised - Detention deemed invalid due to procedural lapses. (Paras 2, 18, 19)

(B) Preventive Detention - The mandatory requirement for timely consideration and disposal of representation must be strictly adhered to; non-compliance results in invalidity of detention order. (Paras 16, 18)

Facts of the case:
Detenu challenged a detention order issued under PIT-ND&PS Act citing multiple procedural violations and failure to consider his representations resulting in unlawful detention. He was previously arrested for a narcotics case but was granted bail. Detention order was issued based on recommendations from NCB and confirmed after considering the Advisory Board's opinion. (Paras 2, 19)

Findings of Court:
Procedural delays by the authorities in disposing representations invalidated the detention order. No satisfactory explanation provided for delayed handling of the detenu's representation, leading to unlawful detention. Detention order and confirmation order were set aside. (Paras 18, 19)

Issues: Whether the detention order complied with statutory requirements regarding the timely service of grounds for detention and timely disposal of representations. (Paras 3, 19)

Ratio Decidendi: The court reaffirmed that strict adherence to procedural requirements in preventive detention cases is essential; failure to comply unjustly denies detenu's rights, rendering the detention unlawful. (Paras 16, 19)

Result: Writ petition allowed; detention orders set aside, and detenu to be released. (Para 20)

Table of Content
1. challenge of detention order under pit-nd&ps act. (Para 1 , 2)
2. arguments regarding procedural violations in detention. (Para 3 , 4)
3. state's position on the authorities' role. (Para 5 , 6)
4. compliance with mandatory provisions of detention procedure. (Para 7 , 8 , 9)
5. requirement for confirmation of detention order within three months. (Para 10 , 11)
6. independent consideration of representation by authorities. (Para 12 , 13 , 14)
7. procedural lapses leading to invalidation of detention. (Para 15 , 16 , 17)
8. delays in representation disposal affect detention validity. (Para 18)
9. set aside of detention order and conclusion. (Para 19 , 20 , 21)

JUDGMENT AND ORDER :

A. Guneshwar Sharma, J.

[1] By the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner has challenged the impugned detention order dated 28.12.2022 issued by the Joint Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, New Delhi, under Section 3 (1) of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-ND&PS Act), 1988 whereby detaining the detenu under preventive detention on the ground of non-application of mind and violation of mandatory provisions of the PIT-ND&PS Act. Heard Mr. Th. Jugindro, learned counsel for the petitioner; Mr. S. Samarjeet, learned Sr. PCCG for respondent Nos. 1 & 2; and Mr. Phungyo Zingkhei, learned Dy. Government Advocate for respondent No. 3.

[2] Mr. Th. Jugindro, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the detenu was arrested earlier on 01.07.2017 in connection with FIR No. 214(7) 2017 PRT-PS u/s 21(b) ND&PS Act on allegation of possession of 150 grams of Heroin No. 4 and charge sheet was filed on 22.09.2022 and he is facing trial in connection with Spl. Trial No. 5 of 2022 in the Court of Special Judge, ND&PS, Manipur at Lamphelpat. He was released on bail in this F.I.R. It is also alleged that on 08.12.2021, officers of NCB, Imphal, recovered 10.39 kg of Methamphetamine Crystal from the possession of two persons at Imphal International Airport while going to Chennai and it was alleged that the contrabands were given by the detenu to these two persons. On the basis of the recommendation of the Sponsoring Agency i.e. NCB, Guwahati, the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (PITNDPS UNIT) issued detention order dated 28.12.2022 for taking into prevention of the detenu under Section 3 (1) of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-ND&PS Act), 1988 for preventing from engaging in illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances. Since the detenu was on bail and was not residing at his given addresses, the detention order could not be served to him and he was taken into custody only on 06.03.2023 from the Lamphel Court Complex when he came to appear for the trial before the Court. The grounds of detention dated 28.12.2022 was furnished to him on 08.03.2023. Vide letter dated 17.03.2023, the Under Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, PIT-NDPS Division, referred the matter to the Advisory Board, Manipur under Section 9 (b) of the PIT-NDPS Act, 1988 and vide opinion dated 25.04.2023 the Board found sufficient reasons for detaining the detenu. The detenu submitted three separate representations all dated 30.03.2023 through the Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa to (i) the Joint Secretary (PIT NDPS), Government of India; (ii) the Secretary, Government of India, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance; and (iii) the Chairman, PIT NDPS Advisory Board, Manipur. Vide memorandum dated 20.04.2023, the Detaining Authority rejected the representation dated 30.03.2023 submitted by the detenu and again vide memorandum dated 26.05.2023, Secretary (Revenue), Government of India, also rejected the representation dated 30.03.2023 submitted by the detenu. Vide order dated 16.05.2023 issu

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