IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2920 OF 2025 ANNU @ ANIKET THROUGH HIS FATHER AS NEXT FRIEND KRUPAL SINGH THAKUR ...APPELLANT(S)

VERSUS UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. ...RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R UJJAL BHUYAN, J.

The related Special Leave Petition was extensively heard by us on

27.06.2025 on which date leave was granted and the appellant was directed to be released forthwith. However, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we were of the view that a reasoned order should be passed. Accordingly, we pen down the following reasoned order.

2. Relevant portion of the order dated 27.06.2025 reads as follows:

Thus, looking into the facts and circumstances of the case, we direct that the appellant, who is presently lodged in the Central Jail at Signature Not VerifiedBhopal, shall be released forthwith from custody, if not required in Digitally signed by Jayant Kumar Arora Date: 2025.07.16 any other criminal case.

17:05:22 IST Reason:

In view of above, the criminal appeal is disposed of.

Reasoned order will follow.

3. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated

25.02.2025 passed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur (briefly ‘the High Court’ hereinafter) dismissing Writ Petition No.29710/2024 filed by the appellant through his father assailing the order of preventive detention dated 11.07.2024 passed by the District Magistrate, Betul under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980 (referred to hereinafter as ‘the National Security Act’), which order was extended thereafter; the period of the last extension expiring on

12.07.2025.

4. Appellant is a student of law and is aged about 24 years. According to him, he had raised his voice against the inappropriate behaviour of a professor towards a female student belonging to the Scheduled Castes. The said professor, using his influence as a community leader, not only assaulted the appellant but also got Crime No.236/2024 registered against the appellant at Police Station Ganj, District-Betul in the State of Madhya Pradesh under Sections 307/353/333/147/148/149/506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC).

4.1. It is stated that the appellant himself surrendered before the concerned police station on 16.06.2024 on and from which date he was taken into custody.

5. Station House Officer of Police Station Ganj (respondent No.5)

submitted a note to the Superintendent of Police, Betul (respondent No.4) on 25.06.2024 recommending that action of preventive detention should be taken against the appellant. On the basis of the aforesaid note, respondent No.4 submitted his detailed note to the Collector- cum-District Magistrate, Betul (respondent No.3) on 03.07.2024 recommending that the appellant be taken into preventive detention.

6. Respondent No.3 thereafter initiated proceeding on 11.07.2024 that action against the appellant under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act would be appropriate so as to prevent him from acting in any manner contrary to maintenance of peace and law and order. Grounds for detention were enumerated separately on the same date i.e. on 11.07.2024. Finally, respondent No.3 passed the order dated 11.07.2024 under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act ordering that the appellant be detained and kept in Central Jail, Bhopal. The said order indicated that the appellant had the right to make a representation before the District Magistrate, State Government, Advisory Board and Central Government (Ministry of Home Affairs), New Delhi.

7. The order of preventive detention along with the grounds for detention were served on the appellant on 12.07.2024. Thereafter, on 13.07.2024, respondent No.3 sent a copy of the order of preventive detention along with the grounds for detention as well as a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of the detention order along with the grounds by the appellant to the Secretary to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Department of Home and Internal Affairs (respondent No.2) for confi