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IN THE HIGH COURT OF J U DI CATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE J U RI S DI CTION
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 29 8 OF 20 0 8
S h r i Abd u l Re h m a n Abd u l Wa hi d )
Sid diq u i @ Re h m a n Ka s h m i r i , Age )
31 yea r s , Resi di n g a t Bldg. No. 23 ,)
Roo m No. 12, Op p . Mogal Pal a c e )
Hotel, Pyd h o n i e , Mu m b a i - 40 0 00 9 )
(At pr e s e n t de t a i n e d at Ce n t r a l ) Peti tio n e r
Pri so n , Th a n e) . ) (Dete n u )
Vs.
1.
S h r i D. N. J a d h a v , )
Co m m i s s i o n e r of Police, )
Bri h a n Mu m b a i . )
2. The St a t e of Ma h a r a s h t r a )
[Thro u g h t h e Sec r e t a r y )
Ho m e De p a r t m e n t (Spl.) ] )
Ma n t r a l a y a , Mu m b a i . )
3. The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , )
Th a n e Ce n t r a l Pris o n , Th a n e )
4. Spe ci a l Adviso r y Boa r d , C / o . )
Ho m e De p t . , Ma n t r a l a y a )
Mu m b a i . ) Res p o n d e n t s
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Mr. U. N. Trip a t h i , for t h e pe ti tio n e r .
Mr. D. S. Mh a i s p u r k a r , APP for t h e St a t e .
CORAM : BILAL NAZKI, &
A. A. KUMBHKONI, J J .
DATE : J ULY 29 , 20 0 8 .
ORAL J U D G M E NT ( PER : A. A. KUMBHKONI, J .)
1. Thi s is a h a b e a s cor p u s pe ti tio n filed u n d e r Article 2 2 6
of t h e Con s t i t u t i o n of Indi a by a de t e n u w ho is pr e s e n t l y det a i n e d
at Ce n t r a l Pris o n Th a n e . Thi s pe ti tio n q u e s t i o n s validi ty of or d e r of
de t e n t i o n bei n g D.O . No. 12 3 / P C B / D P / Z o n e – II / 2 0 0 7 d a t e d 2 3 rd
Octo b e r 20 0 7 (he r ei n a f t e r refe r r e d to a s ”t h e im p u g n e d or d e r ‘ ‘ for
t h e s a k e of br evity), iss u e d u n d e r sec t io n 3(1) of t h e Ma h a r a s h t r a
Preve n t i o n of D a n g e r o u s Activitie s of Sl u m l o r d s , Bootlegge r s , Dr u g
Offen d e r s a n d Da n g e r o u s Per s o n s Act, 19 8 1 (her ei n a f t e r refe r r e d
to a s ”t h e s a i d Act” for t h e s a k e of br evi ty), p a s s e d ag ai n s t t h e
de t e n u by t h e Co m m i s s i o n e r of Police, Bri h a n Mu m b a i .
2. On 7 t h Se p t e m b e r 20 0 7 Se ni o r In s p e c t o r of Police of
Pyd h o n i e Police St a t io n , Mu m b a i submitted a pr o p o s a l for
de t e n t i o n of the de t e n u under the s ai d Act. The de t a i n i n g
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a u t h o r i t i e s co n s i d e r e d a n d sc r u t i n i z e d t h e m a t e r i a l pl a c e d befo r e
it a n d u p o n its s u b j e c t ive s a t i sf a c t i o n t h a t th e ac tivitie s of t h e
de t e n u wer e pr ej u d i ci a l to t h e m ai n t e n a n c e of t h e p u b l i c or d e r a n d
t h a t t h e det e n u wa s d a n g e r o u s pe r s o n wit hi n t h e m e a n i n g of t h e
s ai d Act a n d fur t h e r t h a t it wa s ne c e s s a r y to det a i n t h e de t e n u
u n d e r t h e s ai d Act wit h a view to pr eve n t hi m fro m ac ti n g in a n
m a n n e r , pr ej u d i c i a l to t h e m ai n t e n a n c e of p u b li c or d e r , h a s is s u e d
t h e im p u g n e d or d e r d a t e d 23 r d Octo b e r 20 0 7 . The im p u g n e d or d e r
h a s be e n se r ve d on t h e de t e n u on 8 t h Dec e m b e r 20 0 7 . The St a t e
Gover n m e n t wa s ple a s e d to is s u e a n or d e r com m u n i c a t i n g the
a p p r o v a l of t h e im p u g n e d or d e r , on 26 t h Octo b e r 20 0 7 a n d wa s
fur t h e r ple a s e d to co nfir m t h e im p u g n e d or d e r on 25 t h J a n u a r
20 0 8 .
3. The im p u g n e d or d e r h a s be e n is s u e d by t h e Det a i n i n g
Aut h o r i t y , on the basis of material pla c e d befor e it, whic
pe r t a i n e d to in ca m e r a state m e n t s of two wit n e s s e s d a t e d 2 6 th
Aug u s t a n d 28 t h Aug u s t 20 0 7 a s al s o followi ng two C.R. s –
(i) C.R. No. 10 7 of 20 0 7 regi s t e r e d at Cola b a Police
St a t i o n ag ai n s t t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o ci a t e s , u n d e r se c t i o n 3 9 9
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of I.P.C., re a d wit h se c t i o n 3, 25 , 27 of Arm s Act, re a d wit
sec t io n 37( 1) of t h e Bo m b a y Police Act.
(ii) C.R. No. 14 3 / 2 0 0 7 regi s t e r e d wit h Pyd h o n i e Police
St a t i o n ag ai n s t t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o ci a t e s u n d e r se c t i o n 3 9 4
re a d wit h se c ti o n 34 of Indi a n Pe n a l Code .
4. In s t e a d of collec tively se t t i n g ou t he r ei n t h e a r g u m e n t s
a dv a n c e d on be h a lf of the pe ti tio n e r and re plie d by the
re s p o n d e n t s , we will pr efe r to de a l wit h t h e s a m e poi n t wis e a s s e t
ou t he r e u n d e r .
5. In as much as C.R. No. 14 3 of 20 0 7 afor e s a i d is
co n c e r n e d , t h o u g h t h e FIR in t h a t reg a r d h a s bee n regi s t e r e d o n
24 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 , t h e inci d e n t involve d t h e r e i n occ u r r e d on 1 7 t
J u l y , 20 0 7 . It is t h e ca s e of t h e co m p l a i n a n t t h e r e i n t h a t d u e to
the fea r of re t a li a t i o n at the han d s of t h e de t e n u and hi s
a s s o c i a t e s , t h e co m p l a i n a n t did no t re p o r t t h e m a t t e r to t h e police .
Accor di n g to t h e co m p l a i n a n t therein, a new s p a p e r dated 2 3 rd
J u l y , 20 0 7 ca r r i e d t h e new s of t h e fac t t h a t t h e de t e n u a n d hi s
a s s o c i a t e s wer e ar r e s t e d by Cola b a Police St a t i o n , in rel a ti o n to a n
inci d e n t t h a t occ u r r e d on 25 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 . After t h e fact of a r r e s t of
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the de t e n u bec a m e known to the co m p l a i n a n t therei n, the
co m p l a i n a n t mustered the co u r a g e and deci d e d to lodge the
co m p l a i n t in rel a t io n to t h e inci d e n t t h a t occ u r r e d on 17 t h J u l y ,
20 0 7 . Accor di n gly, t h e co m p l a i n t h a s bee n regi s t e r e d on 24 t h J u l y ,
20 0 7 a s C.R. No. 14 3 of 20 0 7 .
6. The n a r r a t i o n of inci d e n t by t h e co m pl a i n a n t wh o h a s
filed t h e afor e s a i d co m p l a i n t d a t e d 24 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 in s h o r t a s is
set ou t in t h e im p u g n e d
ig or d e r itself, w hic h is relev a n t for o u r
p u r p o s e is a s u n d e r –
. The co m p l a i n a n t h a s a godow n – c u m – office at Pyd h o n i e .
O n 17 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 a mo t o r te m p o be a r i n g regi s t r a t i o n No. MH- 0 4
C 02 3 1 h a d co m e to t h e godow n of t h e Co m p l a i n a n t fro m Ku rl a
wit h iro n pip e s whic h wer e req u i r e d for the purpose of t h e
b u s i n e s s of t h e co m p l a i n a n t . The com p l a i n a n t wit h t h e hel p of hi s
wor k e r s wa s u n l o a d i n g t h e s e iro n pip e s fro m t h e mo t o r te m p o in
hi s godow n . At 20 . 0 0 Hr s . , whe n t h e mo t o r te m p o wa s a bo u t to be
drive n b a c k to Kurl a , it wa s fou n d t h a t t h e engi n e t h e r e of wa s n o t
star ti ng. The r efo r e the co m p l a i n a n t and hi s se r v a n t s st a r t e d
p u s h i n g t h e mo t o r te m p o in a n at t e m p t to s t a r t its e ngi n e . In t h e
pr o c e s s , t h e mo t o r te m p o p u s h e d a mo t o r cycle whic h wa s p a r k e d
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by t h e si d e of t h e ro a d . Res u l t a n t l y , t h e mo t o r cycle fell dow n . The
co m p l a i n a n t we n t ne a r t h e mo t o r cycle to lift th e s a m e a n d to
pla c e it b a c k a s it wa s befor e t h e mo t o r te m p o k n o c k e d it dow n ,
while t h e s a m e wa s bei n g p u s h e d by t h e com pl a i n a n t a n d hi s
se r v a n t s . At t h a t ti m e , t h e pe r s o n who h a d pa r k e d t h e s ai d mo t o r
cycle ab u s e d the pe ti tio n e r and hi s associate s. He a r i n g these
ab u se s the de t e n u alo n g wit h hi s associate s rus he d at the
co m p l a i n a n t . The a s s o c i a t e s of t h e de t e n u wer e a r m e d wit h stic k
a n d c ho p p e r . O n e of t h e a s s o c i a t e s of t h e de t e n u a s s a u l t e d t h e
co m p l a i n a n t wit h stic k on hi s rig h t si d e ea r a n d t h e com pl a i n a n t
s u s t a i n e d inj u r i e s a n d al s o s t a r t e d blee di n g . The de t e n u s n a t c h e d
t h e gold ch a i n of t h e co m p l a i n a n t , weig hi n g 4. 5 Tola s , val u e d at
Rs. 5 0 , 0 0 0 / – fro m t h e ne c k of t h e co m p l a i n a n t .
. The fat h e r of the co m p l a i n a n t afte r he a r i n g the
co m m o t i o n ca m e ou t of hi s office a n d q u e s t i o n e d t h e co m p l a i n a n t
a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s . The a s s o c i a t e s of t h e co m p l a i n a n t a t t h e poi n t
of c ho p p e r t h r e a t e n e d t h e fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t a n d a s s a u l t e d
hi m wit h fis t blow s on hi s left ea r . The fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t
al s o s u s t a i n e d inj u r i e s a n d s t a r t e d blee di n g .
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. The co m pl a i n a n t a n d hi s fat h e r s h o u t e d lou dly for h el p
whe n t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s at t h e poi n t e d of wea p o n s
t h r e a t e n e d t h e p u b l i c no t to co m e forw a r d to hel p t h e co m p l a i n a n t
and hi s fat h e r . The r efo r e , the peo pl e ra n hel t e r – s k el t e r . Shop
kee p e r s p ull e d dow n th e shut ter s of their shops and an
at m o s p h e r e of fea r a n d te r r o r wa s cre a t e d by t h e de t e n u a n d hi s
a s s o c i a t e s , w ho t h e n we n t aw a y .
7. The de t e n u
ig wit h the pe r m i s s i o n of t h e Co u r t o n 1st
Aug u s t 20 0 7 alo n g wit h hi s associate wa s ta k e n charge by
Pyd h o n i e Police St a t i o n a n d wa s a r r e s t e d in t hi s C. R. No. 1 4 3 of
20 0 7 on tr a n s f e r wa r r a n t a n d wa s t h e r e a f t e r pr o d u c e d befo r e t h e
lea r n e d Additio n a l C hief Met r o p oli t a n Magi s t r a t e , 2nd Co u r t
Mazg a o n fro m ti m e to ti m e , on 2 n d Aug u s t 20 0 7 , 9 t h Aug u s t 2 0 0 7
and 13 t h Aug u s t 200 7. On eac h of t h e s e da t e s the re m a n d
a p pli c a t i o n s wer e filed on be h a lf of t h e polic e.
8. In t h e gro u n d s se t ou t in t h e im p u g n e d or de r , afte r
q u o ti n g t h e n a t u r e of t h e afor e s a i d co m p l a i n t , it is s t a t e d t h u s –
”5(a)(xi) On 02. 0 8 . 2 0 0 7 , when yo u were plac e d for
rem a n d before the Ld. Ad dl. Ch. M.M. 2 n d Court, Mazg a o n ,
yo u w er e re m a n d e d into police cu s t o d y until 09- 08- 20 0 7 .
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On 09- 08- 20 0 7 yo u w e r e prod u c e d before the Ld. Court for
rem a n d , yo u w er e re m a n d e d in to police cu s to d y u n til
13. 0 8 . 2 0 0 7 . On 13. 0 8 . 2 0 0 7 yo u w er e prod u c e d before th e
Ld. Court yo u w er e re m a n d e d into judicial cu s t o d y till
27. 0 8 . 2 0 0 7 . Ther e a f t er yo ur judicial cu s t o d y re m a n d w a s
ext e n d e d from tim e to tim e.”
9. Admit t e d l y , alo n g w i t h t h e or de r of det e n t i o n , gro u n d s of
paper s
de t e n t i o n a n d doc u m e n t s / p a p e r s
wer e se rve d on t h e de t e n u
wit h Hi n di tr a n s l a t i o n of s ai d
on 8 t h Dece m b e r 20 0 7 . The
copie s of t h e afor e s a i d re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n s wer e h a n d e d over to
t h e de t e n u alo ng wit h t h ei r Hi n d i tr a n s l a t i o n a t p ag e n u m b e r s 4 1 9
to 47 0 a s pa r t of co m p il a t i o n of doc u m e n t s w hic h wa s se rv e d o n
t h e de t e n u alo ng w i t h gro u n d s of de t e n t i o n on 1 s t Dece m b e r 2 0 0 7 .
10 . The lea r n e d co u n s e l a p p e a r i n g on be h a lf of t h e Peti tio n e r
br o u g h t to ou r no tic e t h e origi n a l co m p il a t i o n of doc u m e n t s se rv e d
on t h e pe ti tio n e r a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y pa g e s n u m b e r 45 4 a n 4 5 5 of
these paper s whic h wa s a p a r t of t h e copie s of t h e afor e s a i d
re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n s a n d de m o n s t r a t e d t h a t large por ti o n s t h e r e of
wer e illegible . O n per u s a l of t h e s e doc u m e n t s we ar e s a t i s fie d t h a t
t h e griev a n c e m a d e ou t by t h e de t e n u in t hi s reg a r d is tr u e a n d
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cor r e c t .
11 . In t h e s u b m i s s i o n of t h e lea r n e d co u n s e l of t h e Petitio n e r
no n – s u p p l y of t h e legible copie s of t h e s e doc u m e n t s h a s h a m p e r e d
t h e rig h t of t h e Peti tio n e r to m a k e effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n in te r m s
of t h e Article 22( 5) of t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n and that t h e r ef o r e t h e
im p u g n e d or de r is u n s u s t a i n a b l e .
12 . In as
much as illegible por ti o n of the re m a n d
a p pli c a t i o n s a r e co n c e r n e d , it wa s co n t e n d e d by t h e lea r n e d APP
t h a t refer e n c e to t h e re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n in t h e im p u g n e d or d e r
wa s made, only to co m p l e t e the narr a tion of eve n t s and that
re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n s wer e no t t h e b a s i c doc u m e n t s on whic h t h e
Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y h a d ar r ive d a t its s u b j e c t ive s a t i sf a c t i o n for
is s u a n c e of t h e im p u g n e d or d e r . On t hi s gro u n d al so , it is
co n t e n d e d t h a t eve n if illegible por t io n s of t h e re m a n d a p p li c a t i o n s
wer e t h e r e in t h e do c u m e n t s s u p p l i e d to t h e det e n u , t h e s a m e h a s
no t ca u s e d a n y pr ej u d i c e , wh a t s o e v e r , to t h e rig h t s of t h e det e n u
in a ny m a n n e r wh a t e v e r .
13 . In t hi s reg a r d , t h e lea r n e d APP relie d on t h e ob s e r v a t i o n s
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m a d e by t h e Divisio n Be n c h of t hi s Co u r t in t h e ca s e of Rek h a
Um e s h S h e t t i Vs. St a t e of Ma h a r a s h t r a & Or s . [20 0 7( 2) Bo m . C . R .
(Cri.) 66 3], t h e relev a n t por t i o n of w hic h re a d s t h u s –
”8. So far a s the rem a n d proce e d i n g s are concer n e d , Mr.
Mhai s p u r k a r s u b m i t t e d th a t the rem a n d proce e d i n g s can n o t
be calle d vital an d m a t e ri al docu m e n t s . He s u b m i t t e d th a t
rem a n d proce e d i n g s onl y cont ai n the alleg a tion s ag ai n s t th e
det e n u . In the fact s of the ca s e w h e r e the other relev a n t
m a t eri al w a s before the Detai ni ng Aut horit y indic a ti n g th e
nat ur e of the preju dicial activit y in w h ic h the de t e n u is
involve d , the re m a n d proce e d i n g s can n o t be calle d vital a n d
m a t eri al doc u m e n t s . ”
”18. In our opinion, in the circu m s t a n c e s of the ca s e rem a n d
ap plicatio n can n o t be calle d a vital doc u m e n t bec a u s e in th e
grou n d s of de t e n t io n the Det ai ni n g Aut horit y ha s give n th e
gis t of the ca s e ag ai n s t the de t e n u . The Detai ni n g Aut h o rit
ha s obviou s l y culle d it out from the state m e n t s and
doc u m e n t s place d before her, copie s of w h ic h ha v e be e n
give n to the de t e n u . It is com m o n k n o w l e d g e th a t re m a n d
ap plicatio n cont ai n s the gist of the pros e c u tio n ca s e a n d
s e e k s cu s t o d y of the accu s e d . W h e t h e r a ca s e for bail exi s t s
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or not can be m a d e out from the m a d e out from the m a t e ri a l
plac e d befor e the Detai ni ng Aut h orit y . Th e r e f o r e , no n
p l a c e m e n t of re m a n d a p p l i c a t i o n be f o r e t h e De t a i n i n g
Au t h o r i t y a n d no n s u p p l y ther e of to the dete n u does
no t vi t i a t e t h e d e t e n t i o n or d e r .”
(Em p h a s i s by u s)
14 . It is pe r ti n e n t to no t e t h a t t h e afor e s a i d ext r a c t s of t h e
ju dg m e n t and t h e ob s e r v a t i o n s
ig made by t h e Divisio n Be n c
its elf clea r ly de m o n s t r a t e s t h a t t h e fact s of ou r ca s e a n d t h e
ca s e de a l t wit h by t h e Divisio n Be n c h a r e dis t i n g u i s h a b l e , in
much as in the ca s e wit h w hic h the Divisio n Be n c h had
occ a s i o n to de al wit h , t h e re m a n d a p p li c a t i o n s wer e no t pla c e d
befor e t h e De t ai n i n g Aut h o r i t y its elf a n d w he r e a d d i t io n a l ly n o t
s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u . As ag ai n s t t hi s in ou r pr e s e n t ca s e t h e
re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n s , wer e no t only very m u c h t h e r e befor e t h e
Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y b u t t h e copie s t h e r e of wer e eve n s u p p l i e d to
t h e de t e n u alo ng wit h t h e im p u g n e d or d e r a n d t h e gro u n d s of
de t e n t i o n . Obvio u s l y t h e r e fo r e , in ou r view the afor e s a i d
ju dg m e n t of t h e Divisio n Be n c h is no t a p p lic a b l e to ou r ca s e .
15 . In ou r view no n sup ply of legible doc u m e n t or p a r t
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t h e r e of a m o u n t s to no n s u p p l y of s u c h doc u m e n t its elf or n o n –
s u p p l y of s u c h pa r t of t h e doc u m e n t whic h is no t legible a s t h e
ca s e m a y be. In ot h e r wor d s , no n s u p p l y of a legible copy of t h e
co n c e r n e d doc u m e n t is s a m e a s no n s u p p l y of t h e co n c e r n e d
doc u m e n t its elf. Con s e q u e n t l y , w h a t e v e r co n s e q u e n c e s follow o n
ac co u n t of no n s u p p l y of t h e co n c e r n e d doc u m e n t will al s o follow
in t h o s e ca s e s w he r e illegible copie s of s u c h doc u m e n t s in full or
in part are supplied to the de t e n u . In ou r view, supply of
doc u m e n t h a s to be m e a n i n gf u l e n a b li n g t h e de t e n u to re a d t h e
en t i r e doc u m e n t a n d u n d e r s t a n d co n t e n t s t h e r ef o r e .
16 . Obvio u s l y , the co n s e q u e n c e s of supply of illegible
doc u m e n t ( s) in full or pa r t will de p e n d u p o n t h e q u e s t i o n a s to
whe t h e r s u c h no n s u p p l y h a s a dve r s e l y affec te d rig h t of de t e n u to
m a k e a n effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n ag ai n s t t h e or d e r of de t e n t i o n
u n d e r Art. 22( 5) of t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n of Indi a .
17 . In a s m u c h illegible por t i o n of re m a n d a p p lic a t i o n s a r e
co n c e r n e d , the afor e s a i d ext r a c t e d por t i o n of t h e gro u n d s of
de t e n t i o n will de m o n s t r a t e that t h e Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y in t h e
gro u n d s of de t e n t i o n has only st a t e d that afte r such re m a n d
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a p pli c a t i o n s wer e filed, t h e ju di ci al c u s t o d y re m a n d of t h e det e n u
wa s exte n d e d im m e d i a t e l y by the lea r n e d Additio n a l Ch ief
Met r o p oli t a n Magis t r a t e , 2 n d Co u r t , Mazg a o n . It fur t h e r st a t e s t h a t
t h e b ail a p p li c a t i o n filed on be h a lf of t h e de t e n u wa s al s o rejec t e d
on 1 s t Dece m b e r 20 0 7 a n d t h a t t h e b ail wa s gr a n t e d to t h e de t e n u
m u c h t h e r e a f t e r on 2 8 t h Se p t e m b e r 20 0 7 , whic h wa s av a ile d by t h e
de t e n u only on 6 t h Octo b e r , 20 0 7 .
18 .
Th u s , from t h e fact s a n d circ u m s t a n c e s of t h e ca s e , it is
cle a r t h a t co n t e n t s of t h e re m a n d a p pli c a t i o n s wer e no t at all
co n s i d e r e d by t h e Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y , a s one of t h e b a s i s for
is s u i n g t h e im p u g n e d or d e r . The s e doc u m e n t s h a v e no t in a n
man n er infl u e n c e d the s u b j e c t ive s a t i sf a c t i o n of t h e de t a i n i n g
authority in is s u a n c e of t h e im p u g n e d or d e r . If t h a t be so ,
ce r t a i n l y t h e de t e n u wa s no t re ally en t i t l e d to t h e copy of t h e s e
doc u m e n t s i.e. re m a n d a p plic a t i o n s , w hic h wer e e n clo s e d alo n g
wit h co m p il a t i o n of doc u m e n t s at p ag e 41 9 to 47 0 s u p p l i e d to t h e
de t e n u alo n g wit h t h e im p u g n e d or d e r . The r efo r e no n – s u p p l y of
legible copie s of s u c h re m a n d a p p li c a t i o n s or p a r t t h e r e of in t h e
fact s a n d circ u m s t a n c e s of t hi s ca s e , h a s no t a t all a dv e r s e l
affec t e d t h e rig h t s of t h e de t e n u in a n y m a n n e r w h a t s o e v e r , m u c
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les s in m a k i n g a n effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n co n t e m p l a t e d by Article
22( 5) of t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n .
19 . In t hi s reg a r d the lea r n e d co u n s e l for t h e pe ti tio n e r
relie d on t h e ju dg m e n t delive r e d by t h e S u p r e m e Co u r t re p o r t e d in
19 9 0 (S u p p) S u p r e m e Co u r t Ca s e s t h e relev a n t por ti o n of whic
re a d s t h u s –
”3. It ap p e a r s th a t the ap p ell a n t ha d a s k e d for certai n copie s
of the doc u m e n t s w h ic h admittedly w er e ther e wit h th e
res po n d e n t – Union of India. Copie s of the doc u m e n t s w e r e
s u p p lie d , but the s a m e w e r e not legible. Thi s po s ition is also
ap p a r e n t . It is not nec e s s a r y in the fact s of thi s ca s e to go
into the que s t io n w h e t h e r the s e doc u m e n t s w e r e relev a n t or
m a t eri al.
4. In vie w of the fact th at the copie s of the doc u m e n t
w er e, in fact, s u p pli e d at the requ e s t of the ap p ell a n t , but th e
copie s s u p p li e d w er e illegible w e are of the opinion, th at th e
safegu ard s provi d e d by the Con s tit u tio n ha v e not bee n
follo w e d . . .
20 . In view of ou r co n c l u s i o n t h a t in view of t h e fact s a n d
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cir c u m s t a n c e s of t hi s ca s e t h e re m a n d a p p li c a t i o n s wer e no t or ar e
no t relev a n t doc u m e n t s , t h e afor e s a i d ju dg m e n t of t h e S u p r e m e
Co u r t ca n be of no a s s i s t a n c e to t h e pe ti tio n e r in fur t h e r i n g hi s
ca s e . Moreove r eve n on fac t s t h e s a m e is cle a r ly dis ti n g u i s h a b l e .
21 . In t h e gro u n d s se t ou t in t h e im p u g n e d de t e n t i o n or d e r ,
afte r q u o t i n g t h e n a t u r e of t h e afor e s a i d co m p l a i n t , it is st a t e d
thu s –
”The
com pl ai n a n t the n took treat m e n t in Koth a ri
Hos pit al, C. P. Tan k , Mu m b a i . His fat h e r w e n t to E.N.T.
Sp e ci ali s t Dr. Pare k h at An d h e ri for treat m e n t . Due to fe ar
of retaliatio n at the ha n d s of yo u an d yo ur a s s o ci a t e s , he
di d not report th e m a t t e r at police st a tio n”
”5(a)(x) The m e d ic al certificat e d at e d 17. 0 7 . 2 0 0 7 of th e
injure d com pl ai n a n t S hri S a nj a y Pita m b a r l al Dan a n i a
indic a ti n g the injurie s cau s e d to hi m , is s u e d by Dr. Pare k
w a s obt ai n e d b y police”.
22 . A copy of m e d ic a l cer tific a t e d a t e d 17 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 (alo n g
wit h its Hin di tr a n s l a t i o n ) , in reg a r d to t h e afor e s a i d co m p l a i n a n t ,
Mr. S a n j a y Pit a m b a r l a l Da n a n i a wa s incl u d e d in t h e s e p a p e r s .
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Howeve r , admittedly, m e di c o legal cer tific a t e in reg a r d to t h e
fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t for m C. R. No. 14 3 of 20 0 7 s h o w i n g t h a t
t h e fat h e r of t h e co m pl a i n a n t we n t to E.N.T. S pe c i a li s t Dr. Pa r e k h ,
at And h e r i for tr e a t m e n t , wa s no t s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u .
23 . The ler n e d co u n s e l a p p e a r i n g on be h a lf of t h e Petitio n e r
co n t e n d e d t h a t t h e de t e n u wa s a d m i t t e d l y no t s u p p l i e d wit h t h e
copy of m e di c o legal cer tific a t e in re s p e c t of t h e fat h e r of t h e
co m p l a i n a n t who is s u p p o s e d to h a v e ta k e n tr e a t m e n t fro m E.N.T.
Spe ci a li s t Dr. Pa r e k h at And h e r i . In hi s s u b m i s s i o n t h e no n s u p p l
of s u c h a m e di c o legal cer tific a t e has a dve r s e l y affec t e d the
de t e n u ‘ s rig h t to m a k e an effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n ag ai n s t the
im p u g n e d or d e r of de t e n t i o n , u n d e r Art. 22(5) of t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n
of Indi a .
24 . He fur t h e r poi n t e d ou t t h a t in a s m u c h a s t h e m e d i c o
legal cer tific a t e rel a t i n g to t h e co m p l a i n a n t is co n c e r n e d , only p a r t
of t h e s a m e alo n g wit h its Hi n d i tr a n s l a t i o n h a s bee n s u p p l i e d to
t h e de t e n u . He br o u g h t to ou r no ti c e t h a t t h e s ai d m e d i c o leg al
ce r tific a t e d a t e d 17 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 is writ t e n on one piec e of p a p e r
b u t on bot h si de s of p a p e r . Wh a t h a s bee n s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u
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is only fron t p ag e alo ng wit h its Hi n di tr a n s l a t i o n . In ot h e r wor d s ,
t h e re a r si d e of t h e cer tific a t e alo n g wit h its tr a n s l a t i o n h a s no t
bee n s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u . He t h e r ef o r e , s u b m i t t e d t h a t t h i s
a m o u n t s to no n s u p p l y of cr u c i a l doc u m e n t , a n d t h e r e fo r e , fat a l to
t h e ca s e of Res p o n d e n t .
25 . The lea r n e d co u n s e l in s u p p o r t of hi s s u b m i s s i o n s relie d
on t h e ju dg m e n t s of t h e S u p r e m e Co u r t , delive r e d in t h e followi n g
ca s e s –
i Pow a n a m m a l Vs. St a t e of T. N. & Anr. , [ 19 9 9 S u p r e m e
Co u r t Ca s e s (Cri) 23 1 ];
i Ma nji t Si ng h Grew a l @ Gogi Vs. Unio n of Indi a , [19 9 0
(S u p p) S u p r e m e Co u r t Ca s e s 59].
26 . On t h e co n t r a r y , t h e lea r n e d Assi s t a n t P u b lic Pro s e c u t o r
co n t e n d e d t h a t t h o u g h t h e copy of m e d i c a l cer tific a t e in re s p e c t of
t h e inj u r i e s s uffe r e d by t h e fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t wer e n o t
forw a r d e d to t h e De t ai n i n g Aut h o r i t y by t h e s p o n s o r i n g a u t h o r i t y ,
t h e r e wa s a m p l e m a t e r i a l av a il a b l e befor e t h e De t ai n i n g Au t h o r i t
to s a t i sfy its elf a b o u t t h e tr u t h f u l n e s s of t h e inci d e n t d a t e d 1 7 t
J u l y , 20 0 7 , a s well a s involve m e n t of t h e de t e n u t h e r e i n . It wa s
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t h e r ef o r e , co n t e n d e d t h a t t h e m e d ic o legal cer tific a t e in rel a t i o n to
t h e fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t fro m C.R. No. 14 3 of 20 0 7 wa s n o t a
vit al doc u m e n t a n d t h a t it ca n n o t be s ai d t h a t for wa n t of s u p p l
of its copy to t h e det e n u , t h e de t e n u wa s de p r ive d fro m m a k i n g
effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n under Art. 22( 5) of t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n of
Indi a .
27 . It is fur t h e r co n t e n d e d by t h e lea r n e d APP t h a t in a s
m u c h a s t h e m e d i c o legal cer tific a t e pe r t a i n i n g to t h e co m p l a i n a n t
is co n c e r n e d , t h e por t io n of t h e s a m e whic h de al t wit h inj u r i e s
ca u s e d to t h e com p l a i n a n t by t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s wa s
s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u alo n g wit h its Hi n d i tr a n s l a t i o n . In hi s
submission t h e re a r si d e of t hi s cer tific a t e co n t a i n e d only t h e
tr e a t m e n t t h a t wa s pr e s c r i b e d to t h e co m p l a i n a n t , a n d t h e r ef o r e
t hi s re a r p a r t of t h e cer tific a t e wa s no t vit al por ti o n of t h e me d i c o
legal cer tific a t e . Accor di n g to hi m t h e r e f o r e for no n s u p p l y of s u c
re a r por t io n it ca n be s ai d t h a t t h e de t e n u wa s de p r ive d fro m
making effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n under Art. 22( 5) of the
Co n s t i t u t i o n of Indi a .
28 . The lea r n e d co u n s e l appea ri ng on be h a lf of the
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pe ti tio n e r relie d on t h e ju dg m e n t of t h e S u p r e m e Co u r t in t h e ca s e
of Pow a n a m m a l Vs. St a t e of T.N. & Anr. [19 9 9 S u p r e m e Co u r t
Ca s e s (Cri) 23 1] , p a r a g r a p h 9 t h e r e of , whic h is relev a n t for o u r
p u r p o s e , re a d s t h u s –
”9. Ho w e v e r , thi s Court ha s m ai n t a i n e d a di s ti nc tio n
bet w e e n a doc u m e n t w h ic h ha s bee n relie d upo n b y th e
det ai ni n g aut h orit y in the grou n d s of de t e n tio n an d a
doc u m e n t w h ic h fin d s a m er e refer e n c e in the grou n d s of
det e n tio n . W h er e a s the non- s u p p l y of a cop y of the doc u m e n t
relie d upo n in th e grou n d s of det e n tio n ha s bee n hel d to b e
fat al to contin u e de t e n t io n , the de t e n u ne e d not s ho w th a t
an y preju dic e is cau s e d to hi m . Thi s is bec a u s e the no n
s u p p l y of s uc h a doc u m e n t w o ul d a m o u n t to de ni al of th e
right of being com m u n i c a t e d the grou n d s an d of bei n g
affor d e d the opport u ni t y of making an effectiv e
repre s e n t a t io n ag ai n s t the order. B ut it w o ul d not be so
w h e r e the doc u m e n t m er el y fin d s a refere n c e in the order of
det e n tio n or a m o n g the grou n d s ther eof. In s uc h a ca s e , th e
det e n u ‘ s com pl ai n t of non- s u p pl y of doc u m e n t ha s to be
s u p p 0 or t e d b y preju dic e cau s e d to hi m in m a k i n g an eff ectiv e
repre s e n t a t io n . W h a t ap plie s to a doc u m e n t w o ul d equ all
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ap pl y to fur ni s h i n g a tra n s l a t e d cop y of the doc u m e n t in th e
lang u a g e k n o w n to an d un d e r s t o o d b y the de t e n u , s ho ul d th e
doc u m e n t be in a diff ere n t lang u a g e .”
29 . The lea r n e d APP relie d on a n o t h e r deci s io n of t h e
S u p r e m e Co u r t in t h e ca s e of J . Abd u l Ha k e e m Vs. St a t e of T. N.
& Or s . [20 0 5) 7 S u p r e m e Co u r t Ca s e s 70 , relev a n t por t i o n of
whic h re a d s t h u s –
”8.
det e n u
The principle of s u p p l y of m a t e ri al doc u m e n t s to th e
was con s i d e r e d by thi s Court in the matter of
Ra d h a k r i s h n a n Prabh a k a r a n Vs. St a t e of T.N. In par a 8,
thi s Court s ai d (SCC p.1 7 3).
”8. W e m a k e it clear th a t ther e is no legal require m e n t
tha t a cop y of ev er y doc u m e n t m e n tio n e d in the ord er
s h all inv ari a b l y be s u p plie d to the det e n u . W h a t is
import a n t is th a t copie s of onl y s uc h of tho s e doc u m e n t s
a s ha v e be e n relie d on b y the det ai ni n g au t h orit y for
reac hi n g the s a ti s f a c tio n th a t pre v e n t i n g det e n tio n of
the de t e n u is nec e s s a r y s h all be s u p p li e d to hi m .”
From the afore s a i d aut h oritie s it is clear th at the de t e n u h a s
a right to be s u p p lie d wit h the m a t eri al doc u m e n t s on w h ic
relianc e is plac e d b y the det ai ni n g aut h orit y for pa s s i n g th e
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det e n tio n order but the det e n t io n order will not be vitiat e d , if
the doc u m e n t altho u g h referre d to in the order is not
s u p p lie d w h ic h is not relie d upo n b y the det ai ni n g aut h o rit
for formi n g of its opinion or w a s m a d e the ba s i s for pa s s i n g
the order of de t e n tio n . The crux of the m a t t e r lies in w h e t h e r
the de t e n u ‘ s right to m a k e a repr e s e n t a t i o n ag ai n s t th e
order of det e n t io n is ha m p e r e d by non s u p pl y of th e
partic ul ar doc u m e n t .”
30 . The lea r n e d APP al s o pl a c e d reli a n c e on a n o t h e r deci s i o n
of Divisio n Be n c h of t hi s Co u r t delive r e d in t h e ca s e of Khw a z a
Ba b a s a h a b C h a u d h a r y Vs. S h r i S. Ch a k r a v a r t y & Or s . in Cri m i n a l
Writ Peti tio n No. 12 0 7 of 20 0 4 , t h e relev a n t por ti o n of whic h re a d s
thu s-
”2 0 . We ha v e alre a d y not e d th at in thi s ca s e , w e fin d th e
errors in tra n s l a tio n to be totall y incon s e q u e n t i a l an d
innoc uo u s . In the light of the abov e judg m e n t s , w e feel th a t
a total non- s u p p l y of a tra n s l a tio n of a m e d ic al certifica t e
in a give n ca s e m a y a m o u n t to violation of the de t e n u ‘ s
right un d e r article 22(5) of the Con s tit u tio n of Indi a. In a
give n ca s e , if a vital portion of the injur y certificat e is not
tra n s l a t e d at all or omitt e d it m a y be a violation of
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det e n u ‘ s right un d e r Article 22( 5) of the Con s tit u tio n of
Indi a. In y e t a not h e r ca s e if a vital portion is wro n gl
tra n s l a t e d th a t may agai n be a ca s e of violation of
det e n u’ s right to m a k e an effectiv e repre s e n t a t i o n un d e r
Article 22( 5) of Con s tit u tio n of Indi a. Ho w e v e r , if ther e are
mi nor mi s t a k e s in tra n s l a tio n tha t will not a m o u n t to
violation of det e n u ‘ s right un d e r Article 22( 5) of th e
Con s tit u tio n of India. It all de p e n d s on the fact s and
circu m s t a n c e s of eac h ca s e . W e feel th a t in thi s ca s e th e
mi s t a k e s are incon s e q u e n t i a l . The first s u b m i s s i o n of Mr.
Tripat hi m u s t fail.”
It is co n t e n d e d by t h e lea r n e d APP on t h e ba s i s of t hi s deci s io n
that no n supply of por t i o n of m e di c o legal cer tific a t e of t h e
co m p l a i n a n t a n d / o r mi n o r mi s t a k e t h a t h a s occ u r r e d in s u p p l y i n g
a n y p a r t t h e r e of is n o t vit al.
31 . In a s m u c h a s no n s u p p l y of th e m e di c o legal cer tific a t e
of t h e fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t fro m C.R. No. 14 3 of 2 0 0 7 is
co n c e r n e d , it is s p e c ific ally s t a t e d in t h e afor e s a i d gro u n d s of
de t e n t i o n that h avi n g he a r d t h e co m m o t i o n , t h e co m p l a i n a n t’ s
fat h e r ca m e ou t of hi s office a n d q u e s t i o n e d t h e de t e n u a n d hi s
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a s s o c i a t e s . It is fur t h e r st a t e d t h e r e i n t h a t t h e a s s o c i a t e s of t h e
de t e n u t h r e a t e n e d t h e fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t at t h e poi n t of
cho p p e r a n d a s s a u l t e d hi m wit h fist blow s on hi s left ea r . It is al s o
fur t h e r s t a t e d t h e r e i n t h a t re s u l t a n t l y t h e fat h e r of t h e pe ti tio n e r
sustained inj u r y and st a r t e d ble e di n g . The fat h e r of the
co m p l a i n a n t t h e r e a f t e r is allege d to h a v e gon e to E.N.T. S pe c i ali s t
Dr. Pa r e k h a t And h e r i for tre a t m e n t .
32 . Obvio u s l
the De t a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y has relie d on this
inci d e n t , whe r ei n fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t s u s t a i n e d inj u r i e s at
t h e h a n d s of t h e a s s o c i a t e s of t h e de t e n u , in a n inci d e n t in whic
t h e de t e n u wa s al s o involve d .W e h av e ext r a c t e d he r e i n a b o v e t h e
releva n t po r t i o n of t h e gro u n d s of de t e n t i o n . The ext r a c t e d po r t i o n
for m s part of t h e gro u n d 5(a)(i) of t h e gro u n d s of de t e n t i o n ,
s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u alo n g wit h t h e or d e r of de t e n t i o n al s o de al s
wit h t hi s a s p e c t of th e m a t t e r .
33 . In ou r view t h e r ef o r e , t h e de t e n u wa s cer t a i n l y e n ti tl e d
to t h e copie s of t hi s me d i c o – legal cer tific a t e a s t h e de te n u has
rig h t to be s u p p l i e d wit h t h e m a t e r i a l doc u m e n t s , in reg a r d to t h e
s p e cific inci d e n t whic h wa s relied by t h e De t a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y for
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p a s s i n g t h e de t e n t i o n or d e r s . In ou r view it ca n n o t be s a i d t h a t t h e
me di c o legal ce r tific a t e in rel a ti o n to t h e inj u r y s u s t a i n e d by t h e
fat h e r of t h e co m p l a i n a n t wa s no t relie d u p o n by t h e Det a i n i n g
Aut h o r i t y or t h a t it wa s no t relev a n t for for mi n g its opi ni o n a n d
t h a t t h e r ef o r e , t h e de t e n u wa s no t en t i tl e d to h a v e a copy t h e r e of .
34 . In a s m u c h a s th e m e di c o legal cer tific a t e pe r t a i n i n g to
t h e inj u r i e s s uffe r e d by t h e co m p l a i n a n t fro m t h e afor e s a i d C.R.
No. 14 3 of 20 0 7 is co n c e r n e d , a d m i t t e d l y , only a p a r t of s u c
ce r tific a t e alo n g wit h its Hi n di tr a n s l a t i o n h a s bee n s u p p l i e d to t h e
de t e n u . Admi t t e d l y , re a r si de of t hi s m e di c o legal cer tific a t e d a t e d
17 t h J u l y , 20 0 7 alo n g wit h its Hin di tr a n s l a t i o n has no t bee n
s u p p l i e d to t h e de t e n u t h o u g h t hi s e n t i r e me di c o legal cer tific a t e
wa s relie d u p o n by t h e Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y w hile p a s s i n g the
de t e n t i o n or d e r . The co n t e n t i o n of t h e re s p o n d e n t that non-
s u p p l i e d por t io n of t hi s m e d i c o legal cer tific a t e rel a t e d only to t h e
tr e a t m e n t part and t h e r ef o r e , wa s no t vital po r t i o n of this
doc u m e n t , ca n n o t be ac c e p t e d , a s t h e de t e n u wa s e n t i tl e d to t h e
en t i r e i.e. w hole doc u m e n t alo n g wit h its Hi n di tr a n s l a t i o n whic
wa s relie d u p o n by t h e Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y a n d w hic h for m e d t h e
b a s i s of t h e im p u g n e d or d e r .
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– 25 –
35 . In ou r view t h e deci si o n of t h e S u p r e m e Co u r t in t h e
ca s e of J . Abd u l Ha k e e m (su pr a) will h a v e no a p p li c a t i o n to t h e
fact s of t h e pr e s e n t ca s e in a s m u c h a s we h av e alr e a d y hel d t h a t
the m e di c o legal cer tific a t e in reg a r d to the fat h e r of the
co m p l a i n a n t a n d t h e m e di c o legal cer tific a t e in full rel a t i n g to t h e
co m p l a i n a n t a r e no t only relev a n t b u t al s o vital doc u m e n t s a n d
no n s u p p l y t h e r e of h a s h a m p e r e d t h e rig h t of t h e de t e n u to m a k e
a n effective re p r e s e n t a t i o n ag ai n s t t h e or de r of de t e n t i o n .
36 . The ot h e r C.R., whic h is relev a n t for ou r co n s i d e r a t i o n
a n d whic h for m s t h e b a s i s of t h e im p u g n e d or de r is C.R. No. 1 0 7
of 20 0 7 . The inci d e n t rel a ti n g to t hi s C.R. No. 10 7 of 20 0 7 , in
s h o r t , a s se t ou t by t h e im p u g n e d or d e r is a s u n d e r –
. On 21 s t July, 20 0 7 the co m p l a i n a n t – PSI Police Sub
Ins p e c t o r rec eive d infor m a t i o n fro m hi s cr e di bl e so u r c e s t h a t six
pe r s o n s h a d pl a n n e d to co m m i t a n ar m e d d a c oi t y in jewele r y s h o p
at Cola b a m a r k e t . Thi s infor m a t i o n wa s pa s s e d over to t h e Dy.
Co m m i s s i o n e r of Police , Zon e – I who im m e d i a t e l y de ploye d polic e
alo n g wit h the co m p l a i n a n t PSI to wor k ou t on the s ai d
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– 26 –
infor m a t i o n .
. A tr a p wa s ac co r d i n g ly laid at a b o u t 16 . 0 0 Hr s . , on foot-
p a t h . The com pl a i n a n t – PSI too k po si tio n alo n g wit h ot h e r s n e a r
t h e s p o t . At a b o u t 16 . 0 0 Hr s . , t h e de t e n u alo n g wit h hi s a s s o c i a t e s
ar r ive d a t t h e sce n e in a Ho n d a City Ca r . After getti n g dow n fro m
t h e ca r , t h e de t e n u alo n g wit h t h e a s s o c i a t e s st oo d a t a clo s e
dis t a n c e from t h e co m p l a i n a n t PSI, whe r e two ot h e r unknown
a s s o c i a t e s of t h e de t e n u ca m e on a mo t o r cycle a n d p a r k e d t h ei r
vehicle ne a r t h e Ho n d a City Moto r a n d joine d t h e de t e n u a n d hi s
a s s o c i a t e s . The co m p l a i n a n t al s o he a r d in s t r u c t i o n s bei ng give n to
t h e de t e n u a n d hi s acc o m p l i c e s a s to t h e ar m e d rob b e r y to be
co n d u c t e d in t h e jewele r y s h o p in t h e Cola b a Mar k e t .
It is t h e ca s e of t h e co m p l a i n a n t PSI t h a t afte r he a r i n g
such conve r s a t i o n among the de t e n u and hi s associates, the
co m p l a i n a n t sig n a l e d hi s colle ag u e s a n d all of t h e m r u s h e d a t t h e
de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s a n d in fact s u r r o u n d e d t h e m . Se n s i n g
t h e police officer s wer e s u r r o u n d i n g t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s
s t a r t e d r u n n i n g aw a y, whe n t h ey wer e c h a s e d a n d det a i n e d . On
t h e forci bl e se a r c h of t h e de t e n u he wa s fou n d po s s e s s i n g a fact o r
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– 27 –
m a d e revolver , loa d e d wit h t h r e e ca r t r i d g e s , t u c k e d at left si d e of
hi s wai s t below t h e s hi r t . The a s s o c i a t e s of t h e de t e n u wer e al s o
fou n d in po s s e s s i o n of we a p o n s , s u c h a s revolver , c ho p p e r , nylo n
rope , clot h tape roll, etc . Se a r c h of t h e Ho n d a City Ca r has
re s u l t e d in seiz u r e of te n ca r t r i d g e s .
. Co n s e q u e n t l y , in co n n e c t i o n wit h t hi s inci d e n t of 3 1 s t
J u l y 20 0 7 , t h e co m p l a i n a n t filed a co m p l a i n t wit h Cola b a police
s t a t i o n , whic h wa s regi s t e r e d a s C. R. No. 10 7 of 20 0 7 , ag ai n s t t h e
de t e n u
a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s u n d e r sec ti o n 39 9 of I.P. Code , re a d
wit h se c ti o n 3, 25 , 27 of Arm s Act, re a d wit h se c t i o n 3 7(i) of
Bo m b a y Police Act.
37 . In as much as thi s inci d e n t of 21 s t July, 20 0 7 is
co n c e r n e d , t h e co n t e n t i o n of t h e lea r n e d co u n s e l a p p e a r i n g o n
be h a lf of t h e pe ti tio n e r is t h a t mere po s s e s s i o n of a n illeg al
we a p o n( s) , s u c h a s fac to r y m a d e revolver wit h ca r t r i d g e s , by its elf
co ul d no t h av e pr ovi d e d a gro u n d for t h e de t a i n i n g a u t h o r i t y to
co m e to t h e co n cl u s i o n t h a t t h e de t e n u wa s ac ti n g in a m a n n e r
whic h wa s pr ej u d i c i a l to t h e m a i n t e n a n c e of p u b li c or de r . In hi s
s u b m i s s i o n , in t h e a b s e n c e of a n y over t ac t on t h e p a r t of t h e
de t e n u , m e r e po s s e s s i o n of s u c h a n illegal a r m e / w e a p o n wa s n o t
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s ufficie n t to a t t r a c t t h e co n c e p t of br e a c h of p u b li c or d e r . The
lea r n e d co u n s e l for t h e pe ti tio n in t hi s reg a r d relie d on the
followi ng two deci si o n s of Divisio n Be n c h e s of t hi s Co u r t .
(i) Dilip alia s J ogy a Vs. St a t e of Ma h a r a s h t r a & Anr . [ 1 9 9 2
Cri.L. J . 35 5 1 ];
(ii) S u d a r s h a n Tu k a r a m Mh a t r e Vs. R. D. Tyagi, Co m m i s s i o n e r of
Police, Th a n e & Or s . [ 19 9 0 Cri.L. J . 19 6 4 ].
38 .
On t h e ot h e r h a n d , lea r n e d APP relie d on t h e affid avi t of
t h e De t ai n i n g Aut h o r i t y , t h e relev a n t por t io n of w hic h re a d s t h u s –
”I st a t e tha t de t e n u an d hi s a s s o ci a t e s w e r e pla n ni n g to
com m it the d acoit y in the bu s y locality at broa d d a y light b u t
b y the inter v e n tio n of the Police, the y w e r e ap pr e h e n d e d a n d
the w e a p o n s w er e recovere d at their inst a n c e . I s t a t e th a t
one factor y m a d e revolv er loa d e d wit h 3 cartridge s was
recov er e d from the de t e n u an d one pis tol an d one factor
made six cha m b e r e d revolver w er e recover e d from th e
a s s o ci a t e s of the de t e n u . I st a t e th a t the act of the de t e n u
an d his a s s o ci a t e s to com m i t d acoit y in the bu s y place at th e
eve hour s of the day was cert ai nl y preju dici al to th e
m ai n t e n a n c e of pu blic order an d it is onl y aft er th e
inter v e n t io n of the Police, the y were arre s t e d , he n c e , it
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– 29 –
can n o t be s ai d th a t the pu blic order w a s not di s t u r b e d d u e to
the s ai d incid e n t .”
39 . The lea r n e d APP fur t h e r relyi ng on t h e deci s io n of t h e
Suprem e Co u r t in t h e ca s e of St a t e of U.P. & Anr . Vs. Sa n j a i
Pr a t a p G u p t a alia s Pa p p u & Or s . [ (20 0 4) 8 S u p r e m e Co u r t Ca s e s
59 1 ], con t e n d e d t h a t fro m t h e poi n t of view of p u b li c or d e r , t h e
tr u e te s t in s u c h ca s e s is no t t h e ki n d of ac t allege d b u t t h e
pot e n t i a l i t y of t h e ac t in is s u e .
40 . The n a r r a t i o n of t h e afor e s a i d inci d e n t re s u l t i n g in t o
regi s t r a t i o n of C.R. No. 10 7 of 20 0 7 will de m o n s t r a t e that the
de t e n u wa s a p p r e h e n d e d befor e allege d pl a n e d ac tio n of d a co i t
co ul d be t a k e n by t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s . It is tr u e t h a t
ac co r d i n g to t h e co m p l a i n a n t , de t e n u wa s fou n d in po s s e s s i o n of
t h e fact o r y m a d e revolver loa d e d wit h t h r e e ca r t r i d g e s . Howev e r , a s
ob s e r v e d by two Divisio n Be n c h e s of t hi s Co u r t , mere illeg al
po s s e s s i o n of a fire ar m or wea p o n a t a p u b l i c pl ac e by its elf, in
t h e a b s e n c e of a n y over t ac t on t h e p a r t of t h e de t e n u ca n n o t
re s u l t into br e a c h of p u b li c or d e r . The relev a n t por t i o n of t h e
afor e s a i d ju dg m e n t s a r e a s u n d e r –
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1 9 9 0 Cri . L.J . 1 9 6 4
”4. Ex a m i n e d clos el y , it is diffic ult to s u s t a i n the order of
det e n tio n . The ev e n t of 19- 4- 19 8 9 in one in w h ic h the de t e n u
is s ai d to ha v e m a s t e r mi n d e d the killing of Par s h u r a m Ka n e .
The A d di tio n al Se s s i o n s J u d g e of Tha n e ha s gran t e d bail u n to
the petition er. Th e t w o incid e n t s in w h ic h the petition er w a s
fou n d po s s e s s e d of a s w o r d an d a fire- ar m can b y no stre tc
of im agi n a tio n be s ai d to be a bre ac h of pu blic order. A
de s p e r a d o wit h a conce al e d fire- ar m on his per so n , albeit, in
a pu blic plac e, is not a m e n a c e to pu blic order, unl e s s of
cour s e he flouris h e s the fire- ar m or b y w or d or ge s t u r e
indic at e s th at it is wit h hi m an d he will not s to p at u si n g
it……. .”
(Emp h a s i s s u p p li e d)
1 9 9 2 Cri . L.J . 3 5 5 1
”13. The fourt h roun d is m er el y an invovl m e n t of th e
Petition er un d e r Section 13 5 of the Bo m b a y Police Act, h e
ha vi n g violat e d the prohibitor y order is s u e d un d e r Section 3 7
(1) of tha t Act, the alleg a tio n being tha t the Petitioner creat e d
com m o tio n b y carr yi n g a k nif e in the particul ar are a . In th e
ab s e n c e of an y overt act, the grou n d can be pre s cribe d a s
vag u e an d also ev a s i v e . It is not s u f ficie n t eith er b y its elf or
cu m u l a ti v el y wit h the other grou n d s to attr act the conce p t of
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pu blic order ”
41 . Moreove r , t h e followi ng se n t e n c e s fro m t h e affid a vi t of
t h e Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y is very releva n t a s t h e s a m e give s a n
im p r e s s i o n a s if t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s wer e s u c c e s s f u l in
co m m i t t i n g t h e d a c oi ty a t a b u s y pl a c e at t h e eve ho u r s of th e d a
–
”I s a y th at the act of the det e n u e an d his a s s o ci a t e s to
com m it d acoit y in the bu s y plac e at the ev e hour s of the d a
w a s certai nl y preju dicial to the m ai n t e n a n c e of pu blic ord er
an d it is onl y aft er the interv e n t io n of the Police, the y w e r e
arre s t e d , he nc e , it can n o t be s ai d th a t the public order w a s
not di s t ur b e d d u e to the s ai d incide n t .”
As a m a t t e r of fact , ad m i t t e d l y t h e de t e n u a n d hi s a s s o c i a t e s wer e
appre he n d e d well befor e t h e y co ul d eve n m a k e an atte m p t of
ac t u a l co m m i s s i o n of s u c h a n offe nc e .
42 . The ju dg m e n t of t h e S u p r e m e Co u r t re p o r t e d in 2 0 0 4( 8)
S u pr e m e Court Ca s e s 59 1 relie d u p o n by t h e lea r n e d APP h a s n o
a p pli c a t i o n to t h e fact s of t hi s ca s e . Howeve r eve n in t h a t ju d g m e n t
in p a r a g r a p h 13 it is ob s e r v e d t h u s –
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”3. The t w o conce p t s ha v e w e ll- de fi n e d conto ur s , it bein g
w ell es t a b li s h e d th a t str a y an d unorg a ni z e d crim e s of th e f t
an d a s s a u l t are not m a t t e r s of pu blic order sinc e the y do not
ten d to affe ct the ev e n flo w of pu blic life. Inf r a c t i o n s of l a w
a r e bo u n d in s o m e m e a s u r e t o le a d t o d i s o r d e r bu t ev e r
in f r a c t i o n of l a w d o e s no t n e c e s s a r i l y re s u l t in p u b l i c
d i s o r d e r . La w an d order repre s e n t s the large s t sc al e wit h i n
w h ic h the ne x t circle repr e s e n t i n g pu blic order an d th e
s m a ll e s t circle repre s e n t s the s ec urit y of St a t e . ”La w a n d
order” jus t a s ”public order” com pr e h e n d s di s or d e r s of les s
gravit y th a n tho s e affec ti n g ”sec urit y of St a t e . (See Ku s o S a
V. St a t e of Bih ar, Harpr et Kaur V. St a t e of Mah ar a s h t r a , T.K.
Gopal Vs. St a t e of Karn a t a k a an d St a t e of Mah ar a s h t r a Vs .
Moh d . Y a k u b .”
(em p h a s i s s u p p l i e d ) .
43 . It is t h u s clea r t h a t me r ely be c a u s e t h e de t e n u wa s fo u n d
in po s s e s s i o n of wea p o n s or ar m s illegally, t h a t by its elf ca n n o t
re s u l t into p u b l i c di s o r d e r ju s t ifyi n g a gro u n d for de te n t i o n . Mere
po s s e s s i o n of illegal arm s eve n at a p u b li c pla c e doe s not
ne c e s s a r i l y re s u l t int o br e a c h of p u b l i c or de r , unless such a
pe r s o n po s s e s s i n g fire- a r m by wor d s or ges t u r e indic a t e s t h a t it is
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wit h hi m a n d t h a t he will no t st o p at u s i n g it, cre a t i n g co m m o t i o n
in t h e p u b li c m a k i n g t h e p u b l i c r u n hilt e r – s k el t e r .
44 . Admit t e d l y , no t h i n g of t hi s ki n d is allege d in reg a r d to
the inci d e n t in is s u e dated 21 s t July, 20 0 7 . The r efo r e , the
Det a i n i n g Aut h o r i t y wa s no t ju s t ifie d a t all in relyi ng on t h e
inci d e n t t h a t re s u l t e d int o C.R. No. 10 7 of 20 0 7 a s a gro u n d for
de t e n t i o n .
45 . The lea r n e d co u n s e l appea ri ng on be h a lf of the
pe ti tio n e r initi a lly co n t e n d e d t h a t s u b s t a n t i a l del ay h a s occ u r r e d
in exec u t i o n of t h e de t e n t i o n or d e r a n d t h a t on t hi s gro u n d al s o
t h e or d e r of de t e n t i o n wa s lia ble to be s e t a s i d e . Howev e r , in
rejoi n d e r t h e lea r n e d co u n s e l a p p e a r i n g for t h e pe ti tio n e r cla rifie d
t h a t t h e peti tio n e r wa s no t pr e s s i n g t hi s gro u n d . We m a y n o t
t h e r ef o r e , de a l wit h t h e s a m e .
46 . No ot h e r gro u n d t h a n t h e one whic h we h a v e de a l t wit
he r e i n a b o v e wa s r ai s e d on be h a lf of t h e pe ti tio n e r , in s u p p o r t of
t h e pe ti tio n .
47 . In t h e re s u l t , t h e im p u g n e d or d e r of det e n t i o n bei n g
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D.O. No. 12 3 / P C B / D P / Z o n e – II / 2 0 0 7 dated 23 r d Octo b e r 2 0 0 7 ,
is s u e d under sec t i o n 3(1) of t h e Ma h a r a s h t r a Preve n t i o n of
Da n g e r o u s Activitie s of Sl u m l o r d s , Bootlegge r s , Dr u g Offen d e r s
and Da n g e r o u s Per s o n s Act, 19 8 1 (Ma h . Act No. LV of 1 9 8 1 )
(Ame n d m e n t 19 9 6) ag a i n s t the pe ti tio n e r / d e t e n u by the
Co m m i s s i o n e r of Police, Bri h a n Mu m b a i is he r e b y q u a s h e d a n d
set a si d e .
48 . The
pe ti tio n e r / d e t e n u be rele a s e d fort h wit h unless
wa n t e d in co n n e c t i o n wit h so m e ot h e r ca s e . R ule is m a d e a b s o l u t e
ac co r d i n g ly .
[ BILAL NAZKI, J . ]
[ A. A. KUMBHKONI, J .]
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