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Preventive Detention Can't be a Substitute for Bail Cancellation : Supreme Court | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Preventive Detention Can't be a Substitute for Bail Cancellation : Supreme Court

Posted 16 Jun 2025

2 min read

In Dhanya M vs State of Kerala & Others judgement, SC set aside the preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007.

  • The judgment by SC underscored the difference between 'public order' and 'law and order', citing SK. Nazneen v. State of Telangana (2023) and Nenavath Bujji v. State of Telangana (2024).
    • The distinction between the areas of 'law and order' and 'public order' is one of degree and extent of the reach of the act in question on society.
    • The detention orders were not justified as it was dealing with a law and order situation and not a public order situation as required in preventive detention.

About Preventive Detention

  • Constitutional Provision:Article 22(3) allows the authorities to detain individuals for preventive reasons, such as the maintenance of public order or national security.
  • Constitutional Safeguards:
    • No preventive detention law should authorize the detention beyond three months unless an Advisory Board approves it.
    • Grounds for preventive detention shall be communicated earliest.
    • Provide the earliest opportunity of making a representation.

Key Supreme Court Judgments

  • Rekha v. State of Tamil Nadu (2011): Preventive detention is an exception to Article 21and should be applied rarely.
  • Vijay Narayan Singh v State of Bihar (1984): Preventive detention should not be used to circumvent regular criminal procedures.
  • Icchu Devi v Union of India (1980): The burden of justifying such detention is on the detaining authority.
  • A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950):The SC upheld the constitutional validity of the Preventive Detention Act, 1950.
  • Tags :
  • ⁠Preventive detention
  • Public order
  • Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007
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