1. One allegedly Venilal Mehta is the father. Miss Pragna Mehta is the daughter and Bharat Mehta is the son. They all have been detained under
the Provisions of Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (hereinafter referred to as the ''Act''), by
virtue of an order dated 9 June, 1984.
2. Their detentions are challenged in three writ petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution, filed by Prakash Chandra Mehta, another son of
Venilal D. Mehta and brother of Miss Pragna Mehta and Bharat Mehta.
3. The facts of these cases basically more or less are the same with certain minor variations which would be noticed.
4. On the 2nd May, 1984, the father and daughter Venilal D. Mehta and Pragna Mehta were arrested by the officers of the Central Excise and
Customs, Cochin on an accusation of having in their possession 60 gild biscuits alleged to be of foreign origin. After their arrest, the father and his
daughter were taken to the office of the Central Excise and Customs, Cochin where statements were made on their behalf. It is, however, the
allegation of the petitioner that such statements were obtained by use of third degree method, molestation of the daugter, threat and intimidation.
We are not concerned with the truth or otherwise of such allegation for the purpose of this application. The statements of the daughter as well a the
father were written by the daughter. It is further alleged in the petition that the statement was written by the daughter as dictated by the officers
concerned. The father, Venilal D. Mehta put his signature in English as ''Balvant Shah'' must be noted that statement in English was written by the
daughter. It is alleged that the father and the daughter told the officers concerned that the correct name of the father was Venilal Mehta. It is the
case of the father in the petition on his behalf that he does not understand, read or speak or write English but he can only sign his name in English.
After the said statement, the father and the daughter were taken to the Hotel Dwarka where they were kept in separate rooms under the guard of
the officers It is alleged on behalf of the father and the daughter that no legal assistance was allowed in spite of repeated requests.
5. On the next day, the father and the daughter were brought to the office of the Central Excise and Customs, Cochin, where once again, the
daughter wrote a statement on her behalf and on behalf of her father. It is alleged that neither the said statement was explained to the father nor a
copy was supplied. After the said recording of the statement, both the father and the daughter were kept detained at the Customs Department.
6. In the meanwhile one Bharat Mehta, another son of the father Venilal Mehta who had come from Calcutta to arrange for bail was brought under
arrest by the officers of the Central Excise in the presence of the father and was asked to identify the father and his sister whereupon Shri Bharat
Mehta identified Shri Venilal D. Mehta as his father and Miss Pragna Mehta as his sister. Upon such identification, Miss Pragna Mehta wrote
down a third statement-one on behalf of her father and one on her own behalf. It is alleged that such statements were dictated by the officers of the
Central Excise.
7. Bharat Mehta also wrote down a statement on his behalf which is similarly alleged to have been written as dictated by the officers. Then all the
three aforesaid persons Venilal D. Mehta, Miss Pragna Mehta and Bharat Mehta were produced before the Acting Chief Judicial Magistrate on 5
May, 1984 at 8.30 P.M. at his residence at Vanala and were reminded to jail custody.
8. So far as Bharat Mehta is concerned, on 2nd May 184 he was in Calcutta and he was informed by his brother from Bombay that his father
Venilal Mehta and his sister Pragna Merita had been arrested and upon hearing that he left for Bombay and arrived in Bombay by the evening
flight. On the following day i. e, on 3rd May. 1984, Bharat Mehta left on the morning flight for Cochin for arranging bail for his father and sister. At
the Cochin Airport, he was apprehended by the officers of the Central Excise who desired to interrogate him and was thereupon brought to the
office of the Central Excise and was interrogated about his complexity in the smuggling of gold. According to Bharat Mehta, as he had nothing to
do with the smuggling of gold, he denied having any connection with the same. Thereafter he was allowed to go. On 4 May, 1984 the room in the
Indian Airlines Hotel. Ernakulam where he was staying was searched by the officers of the Central Excise and Custom"" Though Bharat Mehta
suites Hint nothing incriminating was found the Custom Authorities had seized Indian currency notes amounting to Rs. 24,865 winch sum, he
alleged to have brought for meeting the legal expenses thereafter, he was arrested and taken to identify his father and sister as mentioned
hereinbefore.
9. When all the three were remanded to jail custody, the father, the daughter and the son retracted their statements hey made complaints to the
Collector of Central Excise and Customs about the manner in which their statements were obtained. Application for bail was moved on 7 May,
1984 before the learned Acting Chief 11 Judicial Magistrate Miss Pragna Mehta was allowed interim bail till 7 May, 1984. On 8 May, 1984 the
bail application was rejected. After the cancellation of her bail application, Pragna Mehta moved an application u/s 439 of the CrPC, 1973 before
the Kerala High Court and the High Court was pleased to grant bail on certain conditions. She was served with the detention order on 20 June,
1984, and the detenu was served with the grounds of detention in English language. Hindi translation of the grounds of detention was served on the
detenu on 30 June, 1984.
10. The father''s bail application was, however, rejected by the Kerala High Court. The father was transferred on 24 May, 1984 from sub-jail,
Ernakulam to the General Hospital, Ernakulam because he had become ill. He was thereafter admitted in the General Hospital.
11. The son''s bail application was also rejected by the High court of Kerala and he was also transferred to the General, Hospital, Ernakulam
because he became ill. Thereafter on 6 June, 1984, application for grant of bail was moved on behalf of the father and the son before the Sessions
Judge and the said application was rejected on 12 June, 1984 in respect of both of them.
12. Both Bharat Mehta and Venilal Mehta were transferred to the Medical College Hospital, Kottayam for treatment. On 20 June 1984, the father
and the son while in custody and undergoing treatment in Medical College Hospital were served with the detention orders under the said Act.
Thereafter they were transferred to the Central Prison, Trivandrum.
13. On 25 June, 1984, the grounds were served on all three of them. It is alleged that the said grounds were served nearly at midnight and said
grounds served were written in English while some of the accompanying documents about six in number were in Malayalam.
14. On 25 July, 1984 Miss Pragna Mehta made an application praying, inter alia that the order of detention by revoked and she may be set at
liberty. On 4 August, 1984, she wrote a letter to the Chairman, Advisory Board seeking the assistance of a legal practitioner or a friend during the
Advisory Board proceedings. It is alleged that on or about 6 August, 1984, she was informed at 9.00 A.M. for the first time that she had to
appear before the Advisory Board at 10.00 A.M.
15. It is her case that she appeared without being given an opportunity of being assisted by any friend. She further alleges that she being the only
lady detenu in solitary confinement, after coining back from the Advisory Board meeting made a representation to the detaining authority for certain
jail facilities namely, facility of home cooked food, reading and writing materials, frequent interim views with relations and friends, facility of writing
letters to mother in Gujarati language, sewing and embroidery materials and hygienic toilet facility.
16. She made a representation to the Central Government on 9 August, 1984 for revocation of her detention order.
17. On 11 August, 1984, a letter was received by her from the Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Government of Kerala respondent
No. 1 that there was no provision for home cooked food and there was no solitary confinement, that interviews, and all lf outgoing and incoming
letters are required to be censored and no special restrictions have been imposed upon her She alleges that on 13 August, 1984, she came to
know from the jail authorities that the Advisory Board had confirmed the detention of her and of brother and father for one your and that the
opinion of the Advisory Board was published in the local newspaper Mothrubhumi on 13 August, 1984.
18. On 23rd August, 1984 she received a Setter that her representation dated 25 July, 1984 had been rejected. On 24 August, 1984 she received
a letter from the Under Secretary to the Government of India in terms whereof she was informed that her representation dated 9 August, 1984
addressed to the Central Government had been rejected.
19. On 23 August, 1984, she was served with an order issued by respondent No. 1 whereby she was informed that the Advisory Board in its
report had expressed that there was sufficient cause for detention of the detenu and accordingly, the Government confirmed the order of detention
for a period of one year.
20. So far as father, Venilal Mehta is concerned, it is his case that Hindi translation of grounds of detention was served on him on 30 June, 1984.
While supplying the Hindi translation of the grounds, the annexures being annexure Nos. 1, 6, 8, 27, 38 and 47 of the list of document were
supplied in Malayalam. It is the case of the father that tie does not know how to read, write or speak English or Hindi or Malayalam. He can only
sign his name in English. But thereafter on 27 May, 1984 he made a representation in Gujaiati to the detaining authority praying that ho was unable
to read, write either English or Hindi or Malayalam and the grounds of detention may be given to him duly translated in Gujarati.
21. On 5 August, 1984, he was informed by a letter dated 4 August, 1984 that his representation could only be examined after the same was
translated into English. On 5 August, 1984 he made a representation to the detaining authority praying that his detention order may be revoked. He
was informed on 6 August, 1984 at 9. 15 A. M. that he would have to appear before the Advisory Board at 10.00 A.M. He appeared before the
Advisory Board and the Advisory Board had confirmed his order of detention on 13 August, 1984. He received a letter on 25 August, 1984 that
his request for supply of grounds of detention and connected documents was not considered necessary by the Government. The representation
dated 9 August, 1984 was rejected and the same was communicated to him by a letter dated 28 August, 1984, and he was informed on 31st
August, 1984 that the Advisory Board was of the opinion that there was sufficient ground for detention. He was also informed by a letter dated 10
August, 1984 that his representation dated 5 August, 1984 had been rejected.
22. More or less similar is the case of the son except that he did not plead ignorance of any language English or Hindi.
23. As mentioned hereinafter, all the three detention orders have been challenged by Prakash Chandra Mehta, the son of Venilal Mehta and
brother of Bharat Mehta and Pragna Mehta by these three separate writ petitions.
24. The father had on or about 30 June, 1984 made a representation for mercy. It was written in English but signed in Gujarati. It is the case of the
father that his son brought this representation prepared by his wife and without understanding he signed the representation for forwarding the same
to the proper authorities. The detenus Venilal Metha, the father and Bharat Mehta, the son, were detained on grounds mentioned in Sections 3(1)
(iii) and 3(i)(1)(iv) of the Act and the detenu Miss Pragna Mehta, the daughter was detained on grounds mentioned in Section 3(i)(iii) of the said
Act. The said orders were dated 19 June, 1984 were served on 20 June, 1984 alongwith the grounds in English. It was further mentioned in the
communications containing the said grounds that the said grounds were being communicated to them for the purpose of Article 22(5) of the
Constitution and they were given opportunities to make representation against the said grounds.
25. The grounds of detention stated that on the basis of intelligence received a search of room No. 316 of Dwaraka Hotel at M.G. Road,
Ernakulam, was conducted and after being identified it was stated that the Customs authorities had reason to believe that gold of foreign origin was
kept in the room in the custody of B.V. Shah in contravention of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and Gold Control Act, 1960. The
occupants of the room, the father and the daughter had informed that they were not having any such articles. Thereafter the Superintendent and the
party made a though search in the presence of the independent witnesses, the occupants and the accountant of the hotel, Mr. Jayaprakash. In
addition to the furniture in the room there were three suitcases and one vanity bag inside the room. On enquiry, the father informed that two of the
suitcases belonged to him and the third suitcase and the vanity bag belonged to his daughter. The Superintendent: requested the daughter to identify
her suitcase and accordingly she identified a brown coloured suitcase marked Aristocrat and vanity bag as hers. The two suitcases claimed to be of
the father were examined by the Superintendent. There were no gold or incriminating documents in the suitcases. The Superintendent asked the
daughter to open her suitcase and accordingly she opened the suitcase by taking a key from her vanity bag. When she opened, the suitcase was
found-to contain one inflated air pillow and certain personal clothings. Beneath the air pillow and the personal clothings, there was something
warped in a turkish towel, When the turkish towel was removed three paper packets with abnormal weight were found. The Superintendent
enquired of the daughter about the contents of the three packets and she had rein lined silent. Immediately the father disclosed that the packet
contained gold biscuits of foreign origin When the Superintendent asked about the quantity, he father informed that the three packet; totally
contained 60 Void biscuits with 25 gold biscuits each in two bigger packets and 10 gold biscuits in the small packet. All the three packets were
covered with paper bearing printed English letters. The three packets were opened and examined and found to contain 60 sold biscuits with 25
gold biscuits each in two packets and 10 gold biscuits in the third packet. All the 60 gold biscuits were thoroughly examined weighed and purity
tested by a drilled goldsmith. Each gold biscuits was found to be of 24 carat purity with a weight of 116.5 grams. The total weighed and other
particulars of the said gold biscuits and other particulars of certain other materials found were mentioned. It is unnecessary to set those out in detail.
The persons of both the father and the daughter were searched. Nothing incriminating was found from the daughter but certain documents which
are noted as incriminating were found from the person of father, the particulars of the said documents have also been set out in the grounds. It is
not relevant for our present purpose to set these out in detail.
26. The Superintendent asked the daughter and the father whether they were having any valid documents to prove the nature of import and prove
the legal possession of the 60 gold biscuits of foreign origin recovered from the suitcase claimed to be of the daughter. She replied that she did not
have any such document and that she carried the above said gold biscuits from Bombay to Cochin as directed by her father The father also said
that he had no valid documents to prove the nature of import of the 60 gold biscuits to India and for the possession of the same and that the
daughter carried the gold biscuits from Bombay to Cochin as directed by him.
27. In the premises it was stated that there was reasonable belief that 60 gold biscuits were smuggled into India and acquired and possessed and
dealt with in contravention of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Gold Control Act, 1960 and hence were liable for confiscation.
28. The show cause notice further stated that the entire articles in the suitcase from which the gold biscuits were recovered, the key of the suitcase
and the documents recovered from the vanity bag of Miss Pragna Mehta and from the shirt pocket of Venilal Mehta (B.V. Shah) were also seized
for further necessary action. The value of the gold biscuits seized came to round about Rs. 14 lakhs. B.V Shah alias Venilal Mehta, Miss Pragna
Mehta and the independent witnesses have signed on the documents and on the mahazar. Mr. Jayaprakash accountant of Dwaraka Hotel had also
appended his signature in the mahazar. A copy of the mahazar was also given to B.V. Shah alias Venilal Mehta and his acknowledgement was
obtained on the original.
29. Ground I (b) stated about the search on intelligence report of Hotel Airlines at M.G. Road, Ernakulam. It is not necessary to set out in detail
the documents and the currency notes seized, particulars whereof were stated in the said show cause.
30. In Ground I (c), the search and seizure of Swastic Society, Bombay have been set out. Certain telephone numbers are noted. The documents
seized from this place included telephone bills installed at the residence of Venilal Mehta and two other telephone numbers noted in the paper.
Other details of the ground and facts of the search need not be set out in detail.
31. In Ground I (d), it was stated that the Superintendent of Customs searched premises of R.I). Mehta & Co. and certain particulars of telephone
numbers and other documents recovered were stated therein.
32. In Ground I (c), it was stated that die Superintendent searched the silver refinery controlled by Shri Partap Sait. Certain diaries and documents
ere seized. The telephone of the refinery is 37144. In the documents and diaries seized from the silver refinery, phone number 625768 the phone
number of the residence of Venilal Mehta was found entered.
33. In Ground I (f), it was mentioned that certain documents were recovered from Sadasiva Sait, the particulars whereof are mentioned therein in
the grounds. As a result of search 10 foreign made gold biscuits weighing 116.500 grams each, 8 primary gold bars weighing 1714 gms. and one
gold piece weighing 95 gms. were recovered from the office room. It is further stated in the show cause notice in ground II (iii) that during the sight
seeing trip to Cochin with family in January, 1983 Venilal Mehta had contacted different jewellers in Cochin. Shri Pratap Sait of Shalimar
Jewellery, Cochin alone responded to the business of Venilal Mehta.
34. These were entered into in the statement signed by Miss Pragna Mehta which of course, she had retracted thereafter.
35. From different searches at. different places telephone number 37144 of Pratap Sait (at the silver refinery of Pratap Sait) was found in various
documents.
36. In Ground II (c), the statements recorded u/s 108 of the Customs Act by Venilal Mehta and others were mentioned. It is not necessary in view
of the fact that these statements have been retracted, to refer and set out the said grounds in detail.
37. In Ground II (f), the interrogation of Bharat Mehta is set out. Here also the same cannot be set out because he has also retracted.
38. In Ground III, it is mentioned that Venilal Mehta, Miss Pragna Mehta and Bharat Mehta were arrested and produced before the then Chief
Judicial Magistrate who granted permission to interrogate Shri Venilal Mehta and Shri Bharat Mehta in the presence of Jail Superintendent.
Thereafter Bharat Mehta was interrogated and the result of such interrogation is mentioned in Ground IV. The same again cannot be relied on
because these have been retracted.
39. In Ground V(1), it was stated that Shri Pratap Sait of ''Mahadev Parvathy House'' was interrogated u/s 108 of the Customs Act. He denied
having seen Venilal Mehta or B.V. Shah. He also denied any dealings with B.V. Shah regarding the gold biscuits.
40. In Ground V (2), it was stated that Mr. Prakash Krishna Yadav, an employee of the silver refinery was interrogated u/s 108 of the Customs
Act. He stated that his normal work in the refinery was purifying silver. He used to purify the gold from Shalimar Jewellery also. He knew Bharat
Mehta, Venilal Mehta and Rashmi Mehta. They used to come to the refinery. They used to meet the younger brother of Pratap Sait, Shri Suresli.
They were doing some secret business. Suresh used to entrust him with certain bundles of notes to be handed over to Venilal Mehta or his sons.
This he used to do. The documents seized from the refinery contained the accounts of agriculture and grapes were written by Pratap Sait. Some
times Venilal Mehta, Bharat Mehta and Rashmi Mehta used to stay at Hotel Blue Diamond and he had met them while they were there. The
telephone number of the refinery, he stated, was 37144. His statement was read over to him and admitted to be correct. This statement was not
retracted.
41. In Ground V (3), it was stated that one Shri Suresh Mahadeva Salunkhe S/o Mahadev Dari Salunkhe was examined u/s 108 of the Customs
Act. He has also given certain facts about the business of Pratap Sait and others. He said that Pratap was looking after Blue Diamond Hotel. He
also knew Venilal Mehta, Bharat Mehta and Rashmi Mehta. He further stated that Venilal Mehta came to the refinery some time ago and
thereafter as per the telephonic direction of his brother, Shri Pratap Sait, he received some gold biscuits from him and had given these to his
brother. His brother gave a bundle of currency notes. This was repeated many times.
42. In Ground V (4), it was slated that one Shri Suresh S/o Damodharan, was interrogated u/s 108 of the Customs Act. He also stated certain
facts giving the connection and the phone number of Venilal Mehta. These have been set out in details in the ground. The particulars of other
grounds in V (5) need not be set out in detail.
43. In Ground VI (i), it was stated that as a follow up action, the house of Pratap Sait at Convent Junction, Cochin was searched. No contraband
goods or incriminating documents were recovered. Shalimar Jewellery was also searched. In the premises, it was stated, against Venilal Mehta that
evidence collected showed that Venilal Mehta had large scale dealings in smuggled gold biscuits piper bit recovered from him on 2nd May, 1984,
which showed the details of transaction and the particulars of the writings of the paper have been set out in the show cause notice and it is further
stated that one Sadasiva Sait was apprehended with 2974 grams foreign gold biscuits and the numbers shown against the letters ''S'' in the paper
mentioned hereinbefore related to the gold biscuits delivered to him by Venilal Mehta and his sons on the dates mentioned against each. From this
according to the respondent, it was evident that the other numbers shown were also related to gold biscuits. As set out before Sadasiva Sait in his
statement stated that letters ''P'' might be in relation to Pratap Sait and letter ''B'' might be in relation to Bhim Rao.
44. From the aforesaid, it was stated that it was evident that Venilal Mehta, and in the case of the other two, son and the daughter more or less
similar grounds are made, was dealing in smuggled gold biscuits and that 60 gold biscuits weighing 6990 grams and valued at Rs. 14 lakhs were
seized and that Venilal Mehta, sons Rashmi Kanth Mehta and Bharat Mehta and Miss Pragna Mehta were actively engaged in the business of
smuggled foreign gold biscuits. Venilai Mehta was the master brain behind this business. A list of documents was annexed. The search list and the
deposition and necessary documents, the panchnama and the statements were also annexed with the show cause notice.
45. One of the documents which is annexed to the affidavit in opposition of the respondents is a mercy petition which is annexure R-1 dated 30
June, 1984 addressed to the Secretary and Commissioner, Home & Vigilance, Home Department, Government of Kerala, Trivandrum through the
Superintendent, Central Jail Trivandrum. In that he stated as follows:
I, Venilal M. Mehta, beg to request you to give kindly and sympathetic attention to the following few lines and render mercy to me.
I am an old man of 60 years. I had my peaceful life as a business man and commanded respect in the business circle and friends. 1 myself am
surprised to understand what prompted me to involve in such activity as dealing in Imported Gold. My financial and social status was unblemished
during all these years of my life. I would not say it was a greed it was only the destiny that played this part.
Looking to my old-age and unstinted career up till now, I beg you to show mercy on me and to revoke the order of detention under COFEPOSA.
I assure you that never in my life to come, I will indulge in any such activity there are detrimental to the nation as a whole and me in particular.
Thanking you in anticipation of your favours,
Yours faithfully,
Trivandrum, Sd/ � 30 June, 1984. (Venilal M. Mehta)
46. It was written in English but signed in Gujarati. It was stated as mentioned before that it was signed without understanding as this was sent by
the wife of the detenu, Venilal Mehta.
47. The charges against the daughter were u/s 3(1)(iii), and against the father, Venilal Mehta and the son, Bharat Mehta, these were u/s 3(1)(iii)
and 3(1)(iv) of the said Act. The relevant provisions of Section 3 of the said Act reads as follows: �
3. Power to make orders detaining certain persons� (1) The Central Government or the State Government or any officer of the Central
Government, not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to that Government, specially empowered for the purposes of this section by that
Government, or any officer of a State Government, not below the rank of a Secretary to that Government, specially empowered for the purposes
of this section by that Government may, if satisfied, with respect to any person (including a foreigner), that, with a view to preventing him from
acting in any manner prejudicial to the conservation or augmentation of foreign exchange or with a view to preventing him from�
(i) XXXX
(ii) XXXX
(iii) engaging in transporting or concealing or keeping smuggled goods, or
(iv) dealing in smuggled goods otherwise than by engaging in transporting or concealing or keeping smuggled goods, or
(v) XXXX
it is necessary so to do, mike an order directing that such person be detained.
48. Before we consider the submissions on behalf of the detenus in this case, certain board facts have to be borne in mind. Search of room No.
316 of Dwirki Hotel M.G. Road, Ernakulam, by the Superintendent of the Central Excise and Customs, Cochin stands demonstrated. It also
cannot be disputed that the occupants of the room at the time of search were Venilal Mehta alias B.V. Mehta and daughter Pragna Mehta. 60 gold
biscuits were recovered from the suitcase belonging to Miss Pragna Mehta. Details have been mentioned in Ground T(a), Panchnama regarding the
search and seizure was prepared and was signed by the daughter and the father and attested by independent witness�one of being the
accountant of the Hotel. Secondly, B.V. Shah was interrogated and he made certain statements. On 2nd May, 1934, there was search of the
house of Pratap Sait at Ernakulam. On the same day, Shalimar Jewellery Fixed Deposit Door No. 37/8, Broadway, Cochin was searched. The
statements of B.V. Shah or Venilal Mehta, Pragna Mehta and Bharat Mehta u/s 108 even if these are ignored, there were searches and statement
by one Shri S. Kumar an I there was also search on 14 May, 1984 of the residential quarters of Venilal Mehta at Bombay where telephone having
No 625768 was installed. This telephone number tallied with certain papers of Pratap Sait and other houses mentioned hereinbefore.
49. There was search of the premises of Venilal Mehta in the name of R.D. Mehta & Co. Bombay. There also the telephone numbers 339774 aid
338286 were found installed. These tallied with the telephone numbers found in the papers in other houses The documents recovered from R.D.
Mehta included telephone bills of phone No. 625768 installed at the house of Venilal Mehta which showed that from the said phone trunk calls
were booked to Cochin telephone Nos. 37144 and 33221 Ernakulam, 37144 is the telephone number of Silver Refinery and 33221 is the
telephone number of Blue Diamond Hotel controlled by Pratap Sait.
50. The search of Silver Refinery owned by Pratap Sait was made on 21st May, 1984. Two diaries and certain documents were seized. A
Panchnama was prepared. In the diary seized from the Silver Refinery, the phone No. 6.7S76S of the residence of Venilal Melita was found
entered.
51. Then there was statement of Prikash Krishna Yadav, one of the employees of Silver Refinery where he had stated Venilal Mchta, Bharat
Mehta and another son of Venilal Mehta used to come to Refinery. He had further stated that they (the aforesaid named persons) used the meet
the younger brother of Pratap Sait and they were doing some secret business. Suresh used to entrust him with bundle of notes to be handed over
to Venilal Mehta and his sons. These statements were made u/s 108 of the Customs Act by these persons and these statements were not
retracted. He further stated that he had met them at Hotel Blue Diamond when they had stayed there. In the statement of Suresh M. Chalunka,
younger brother of Pratap Sait, he established the connection of B.V. Shah with the refinery of Pratap Sait at Ernakulam. He also confirmed that
they were dealing in gold biscuits He did not know how many gold biscuits were there. Mr. Bharat and Mr. Rashmi, sons of B.V. Shah used to
come, according to his statement, with gold biscuits, lie used to receive the gold biscuits and give these to his brother Pratap Sait
52. Shri Suresh, receptionist of Blue Diamond Hotel in a statement on 25 May, 1984 u/s 108 of Customs Act had stated that on 3rd May, 1984,
Bharat Mehta contacted him over the phone and accordingly he and Bharat Mehta met at Oberoi Hotel. Bharat Mehta had told him that his father
and sister were caught with gold biscuits and requested for help. On 5 June, 1984, Customs Department Superintendent party arrived at the Silver
Refinery, Trichur of Sadashiv Sait and as a result of the search 10 foreign made gold biscuits, 8 primary gold biscuits and 1 gold piece were
recovered. Then on 5 June, 1984, Sadashiv Sait was interrogated. Extracts from his examination have been set out hereinbefore, which clearly
established the connection of Venilal with these transactions. Some documents were recovered from B.V. Shah (Venilal) while he was caught with
60 gold biscuits and letter ''S'' has been explained as indicated before
53. On the above facts, detailed show cause notice was issued. It is true that in the said show cause, the statements of Venilal Mehta on 2nd May,
1984, 3rd May, 1984 and 4 May, 1984 were also taken into account but Annexure ''C'' to letter to the Collector retracting the statement was not
taken into account.
54. It has therefore to be examined that in view of the fact that the whole statement had been retracted, these statements should have been
considered along with the retraction. The fact of not doing so will require examination. It may, however, be mentioned that in the counter-affidavit,
it has been stated that the basis of the detention order was not only the statement by the detenus but also other materials which were supplied to
the detenus.
55. In support of these applications, the following main grounds were urged namely.
(1) The grounds were not communicated to the detenus in a language understood by them.
(2) The retraction of the confessions or statements made u/s 108 of the Customs Act had not been taken into consideration.
(3) There was delay in serving the grounds upon the detenus.
(4) The detenus were not allowed to be represented properly before the Advisory Board.
(5) The fact that there was retraction of the confession having not been taken into consideration the proceedings were vitiated
(6) The detaining authority did not independently consider the representation of detenus but mechanically followed the advice of the Advisory
Board.
56. Preventive detention under certain prescribed circumstances, under the provisions of certain Acts is permissible in India with certain
constitutional safeguards and the preventive detention which is recognised and permitted by our Constitution must be resorted to strictly within
those constitutional safeguards,
57. Article 22 ensures protection against arrest and detention except in certain prescribed circumstances and conditions. Article 22(4) of the
Constitution stipulates that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months
unless.
(a) an Advisory Board consisting of persons who are, or have been, or are qualified to are appointed as, Judges of a High Court has reported
before the expiration of the said period of three months that there is in its opinion sufficient cause for such detention:
Provided that nothing in this sub-clause shall authorise the detention of any person beyond the maximum period prescribed by any law made by
Parliament under Sub-clause (b) of Clause (7); or
(b) such person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by Parliament under Sub-clauses (a) and (b) of Clause (7).
58. Clause 15 of Article 22 reads as follows:
(5) When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order
shall, as soon as may be, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made and shall afford him the earliest opportunity
of making a representation against the order''.
59. Clause (6) provides that nothing in Clause (5) shall require the authority making any such order as is referred to in that clause to disclose facts
which such authority considers to be against the public interest to disclose. Clause (7) of Article 22 ensures that the Parliament may make law in
certain manner prescribed in that sub-clause.
60. Therefore it was contended that the order and grounds should be communicated to the detenus in the languages or language they understood.
According to the petitioner, Venilal Mehta understood nothing except Gujarati. He did not understand English or Hindi or Malayalam. The grounds
of detention were initially supplied to Venilal Mehta in English on 25 June, 1984 i.e. within five days of his arrest or detention. But certain
accompanying documents in Malayalam language were supplied to him namely, item Nos. 1,6, 8, 27, 38 and 47.
61. Sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the s lid Act provides as follows:
For the purposes of Clause (5) of Article 22 of the Constitution, the communication to a person detained in pursuance of a detention order of the
grounds on which the order has been made shall be made as soon as may be after the detention, but ordinarily not liter than five days, and in
exceptional circumstances and for reasons to be recorded in writing not later than fifteen days, from the date of detention.
62. In the instant case it was submitted that assuming that Venilal Mahta knew Hindi, the translated copy of the English grounds was admittedly
made available to him in Hindi language on 30 June, 1984 �beyond a period of five days and for which neither any exceptional circumstances
existed nor an reason given. Moreover it was urged that the annexures in Malayalam language retained their places while supplying the translated
copy of the grounds of detention in Hindi language. Therefore it was urged that there was non-compliance with the provisions of the Act.
63. It will be appropriate to deal with the first ground. Whether the grounds should have been communicated in the language understood by the
detenus ? The Constitution requires that the grounds must be communicated. Therefore it must follow as an imperative that the grounds must be
communicated in a language understood by the person concerned so that he can make effective representation. Here the definite case of the
petitioner''s father is that he does not understand English or Hindi or Malayalam and does understand only Gujarati language. The facts revealed
that the detenu Venilal was constantly accompanied and was in the company of his daughter as well as son both of them knew English very well.
The father signed a document in Gujarati which was written in English which is his mercy petition in which he completely accepted the guilt of the
involvement in smuggling. That document dated 30 June, 1984 contained, inter alia, a statement ""I myself am surprised to understand what
prompted me to involve in such activity as dealing in Imported Gold. He further asked for mercy. There is no rule of law that commonsense should
be put in cold storage while considering constitutional provisions for safeguards against misuse of powers by authorities though these constitutional
provisions should be strictly construed. Bearing this salutary principle in mind and having regard to the conduct of the detenu Venilal Mehta
specially in the mercy petition and other communications, the version of the detenu Venilal is feigning lack of any knowledge of English must be
judged in the proper perspective. He was, however, in any event given by 30 June, 1984 the Hindi translation of the grounds of which he claimed
ignorance. The gist of the annexures which were given in Malayalam language had been stated in the grouuds. That he does not know anything
except Gujarati is merely the ipse dixit of Venilal Mehta and is not the last Word and the Court is not denuded to its powers to examine the truth.
He goes to the extent that he signed the mercy petition not knowing the contents, not understanding the same merely because his wife sent it though
he was sixty years old and he was in business and he, was writing a time when he was under arrest his room had been searched, gold biscuits had
been recovered from him. Court is not the place where one can sell all tales. The detaining authority came to the conclusion that he knew both
Hindi and English. It has been stated so in the affidavit filed on behalf of the respondent. We are of the opinion that the detenu Venilal Mehta was
merely feigning ignorance of English.
64. We may here notice the first decision upon which reliance was placed a decision in the case of Harikisan v. The State of Maharashtra and Ors.
[1982] 2 Su. S.C.R. 918. This Court reiterated that the provisions of Article 22(5) of the Constitution required that, the grounds should be
communicated to the detenu as soon as may be and that he should be afforded the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the
order. This Court reiterated that communication meant bringing home to the detenu effective knowledge of that facts and the grounds on which the
order was based. To a person who was not conversant with the English language, in order to satisfy the requirement of the Constitution, the detenu
must be given grounds in a language which he can understand and in a script which lie can read, if he is a literate person, in that case it was held
that mere oral translation at the time of the service was not enough. In that case the detenu was served with the order of detention and the grounds
in English. He did not know the language and asked for a translation in Hindi. The request was refused on the ground that the grounds had been
orally translated to him at the time these were served upon him and that English was still being the official language, communication of the order and
grounds in English was in accordance with the law and the Constitution. This Court observed at pages 925-926 of the report as follows:
If the detained person is conversant with the English language, he will naturally be in a position to understand the gravamen of the charge against
him and the facts and circumstances on which the order of detention is based. But to a person who is not so conversant with the English language,
in order to satisfy the requirements of the Constitution, the detenu must be given the grounds in a language which he can understand, and in a script
which he can read, if he is a literate person.
The Constitution has guaranteed freedom of movement throughout the territory of India and has laid down detailed rules as to arrest and detention.
It has also, by way of limitations upon the freedom of personal liberty, recognised the right of the State to legislate for preventive detention, subject
to certain safeguards in favour of the detained person, as laid down in Clauses (4) & (5) of Article 22 One of those safeguards is that the detained
person has the right to be communicated the grounds on which the order of detention has been made against him, in order that he may be able to
make his representation against the order of detention. In our opinion, in the circumstances of this case, it has not been shown that the appellant
had the opportunity, which the law contemplates in his favour, making an effective representation against his detention. On this ground alone, we
declare his detention illegal, and set aside the Order of the High Court and the Order of Detention passed against him.
65. The principle is well-settled. But in this case it has to be borne in mind that the grounds were given on 25 June, 1984 following the search and
seizure of gold biscuits from his room in the hotel in his presence and in the background of the mercy petition as we have indicated and he was in
constant touch with his daughter and sons and there is no evidence that these people did not know Hindi or English. Indeed they knew English as
well as Hindi. It is difficult to accept the position that in the peculiar facts of this case the grounds were not communicated in the sense the grounds
of detention were not conveyed to the detenu Venilal. Whether grounds were communicated or not depends upon the facts and circumstances of
each case.
66. As early as in 1968, in the case of Hadibandhu Dase v. District Magistrate , Cuttack & Anr.([1969] 1 S.C.R. 227) this Court was concerned
with a case where on December 15, 1967, the District Magistrate, Cuttack had served an order made in exercise of power u/s 3(1)(a)(ii) of the
Preventive Detention Act directing that the appellant be detained on various grounds. On December 19, 1967, the appellant filed a petition in the
High Court challenging the order of detention on the grounds, inter alia, that the order and the grounds in support thereof served upon the appellant
were written in the English language which the appellant did not understand. On January 18, 1968 the District Magistrate supplied to the appellant
an Oriya translation of the order and the grounds. On January 28, 1968, the Stale of Orissa revoked the order and issued a fresh order of
detention. A translation of this order in Oriya was supplied to the appellant. The appellant thereafter submitted a supplementary petition challenging
the validity of the order dated January 28, 1968. The High Court of Orissa rejected the petition filed by the appellant. There was an appeal to this
Court by cetificate. It was held that in the facts of that case, there was no proper communication. The order ran into fourteen typed pages. Mere
oral explanation of such an order without supplying him a translation in a script or language which he understood, amounted to denial of the right of
being communicated the grounds and of being afforded the opportunity of making a representation against the order. The facts in the instant case
as mentioned hereinbefore are different.
67. In the case of Nainmal Partap Mal Shah v. Union of India and Ors. [198] 4 S.C.R. 427 the detenu not conversant with the English language
was not supplied with the translated script. It was stated in opposition that the grounds were explained to the detenu by the prison authorities. This
Court found that who explained it was not stated. This explanation was not correct and as such there is no proper communication. This does not
help us in the facts of this case.
68. It is submitted in the instant case before us that the accompanying documents were supplied to the detenu in Hindi on 30 June, 1984 beyond a
period of five days. For this there were no exceptional circumstances nor any reason had been recorded. Reliance was placed on certain
observations in the case of Ibrahim Ahmad Batti v. State of Gujarat & Others.. But again the facts of that case were entirely different because in
the instant case all the factors were pointed out in the grounds in English which Venilal understood. His mercy petition corroborates that view.
There is no dispute that the other two detenus namely Pragna Mehta and Bharat Mehta knew English and Hindi, Indeed no point of non
communication of the grounds was made out in respect of them.
69. It was next submitted that the detenus had retracted the alleged statements by letters dated 5 May and 6 May, 1984 addressed to the
Collector, Central Excise and Customs. While the statements made in the confession or statements before the Collector u/s 108 had been noted in
the grounds of detention, the retraction had not been noted. It was submitted that the said retraction was bound to influence the mind of the
detaining authority one way or the other whether to make or not to make the detention order and therefore not taking this fact into consideration on
or about 19/20 June, 1984, there was no application of mind. It is true that retraction was not taken into consideration as it is evident from the
order of detention thought the retraction as noted hereinbefore, was considered before confirming the order of detention subsequently after the
opinion of the Advisory Board.
70. Section 5A of the said Act which was introduced by amendment in 1975 reads as follows:
5A. Grounds of detention severable � Where a person has been detained in pursuance of an order of detention under Sub-section (1) of Section
3 which has been made on two or more grounds, such order of detention shall be deemed to have been made separately on each of such grounds
and accordingly
(a) such order shall not be deemed to be invalid or inoperative merely because one or some of the grounds is or arc-
(i) vague,
(ii) non-existent,
(iii) not relevant,
(iv) not connected or not proximately connected with such person, or (v) invalid for any other reason whatsoever,
and it is not therefore possible to hold that the Government or officer making such order would have been satisfied as provided in Sub-section (1)
of Section 3 with reference to the remaining ground or grounds and made the order of detention;
(b) the Government or officer making the order of detention shall be deemed to have made the order of detention under the sub-section (1) after
being satisfied as provided In Ground or that sub-section with reference to the remaining grounds.
71. Section 5A stipulates that when the detention order has been made on two or more grounds, ''such order of detention shall be deemed to have
been made separately on each of such grounds and accordingly that if one irrelevant or one inadmissible ground had been taken into consideration
that would not make the detention order bad.
72. Article 22(5) of the Constitution has two elements : (i) communication of the grounds on which the order of detention has been made; (ii)
opportunity of making a representation against the order of detention. Communication of the grounds pre-sup-poses the formulation of the grounds
and formulation of the grounds requires and ensures the application of the mind of the detaining authority to the facts and materials before it, that is
to say, to pertinent and proximate matters in regard to each individual case and excludes the elements of arbitrariness and automatism.
73. The ''grounds'' under Article 22(5) of the Constitution do not mean mere factual inferences but mean mere factual inferences plus factual
material which led to such factual inferences. See the observations of this Court in the case of Smt. Shalini Soni Etc v. Union of India- & Ors. Etc..
74. As has been said by Benjamin Cardozo, ""A Constitution states or ought to state not rules for the passing hour, but principles for an expanding
future"". The concept of ""grounds"", has to therefore, has to receive an interpretation which will keep it meaningfully in tune with the contemporary
notions of the realities; of the society and the purpose of the Act in question in the light of concepts of liberty and fundamental freedoms guaranteed
by Article 19(1), 21 and 22 of the Constitution. Reviewing several decisions in the case of Hasmukh S/o Bhagwanti M. Patel v. The State of
Gujarat & Others. this Court held that a democratic Constitution is not to be interpreted merely from a lexicographer''s angle but with a realisation
that it is an embodiment of the living thoughts and aspirations of a free people. The concept of ''grounds'' used in the context of detention in Article
22(5) of the Constitution and in Sub-section (3) of Section 3 of COFFPOSA, therefore, has to receive an interpretation which will keep it
meaningfully in tune with a cotemporary notions. While the expression ""grounds"" for that matters includes not only conclusions of fact but also all
the ""basic facts"" on which those conclusions were founded, they are different from subsidiary facts or further particulars or the basic facts.
75. In the instant case, the ground of detention is the satisfaction of the detaining authority that with a view to preventing the detenu from acting in
any manner prejudicial to the conservation or augmentation of foreign exchange or with a view to preventing the detenu from, inter alia, dealing in
smuggled goods otherwise than by engaging in transporting or concealing or keeping the smuggled goods, or engaging in transporting of concealing
or keeping smuggled goods the detention of the detenu is necessary. This satisfaction was arrived at as inferences from several factOrs. These have
been separately mentioned. One of them is the contention but this ground was taken into consideration without taking note of the retraction made
thereafter. But the inference of the satisfaction was drawn from several factors which have been enumerated before. We have to examine whether
even if the facts stated in the confession are completely iugored, then the inferences can still be drawn from other independent and objective facts
mentioned in this case, namely the fact of seizure after search of 60 gold biscuits from the suitcase of the daughter in the presence of the father
which indubitably belonged to the father and admitted by him to belong to him for which no explanation has been given and secondly the seizure of
the papers connected with other groups and organisations Pratap Suit and others to whom gold has been sold by the father are relevant grounds
from which an inference can reasonably be drawn for the satisfaction of the detaining authority for detaining the detenus for the purpose of Section
3(1)(iii) and 3(1)(iv). We are of the opinion that the impugned order cannot be challenged merely by the rejection of the inference drawn from
confession. The same argument was presented in a little different shade namely the factor retraction should have been considered by the detaining
authority and the Court does not know that had that been taken into consideration, what conclusion the detaining authority would have arrived at.
This contention cannot be accepted. We are not concerned with the sufficiency of the grounds. We are concerned whether there are relevant
materials on which a reasonable belief or conviction could have been entertained by the detaining authority on the grounds mentioned in Section
3(1) of the said Act. Whether other ground should have been taken into consideration or not is not relevant at the stage of the passing of the
detention order. This contention, therefore, cannot be accepted. If that is the position then in view of Section 5A of the Act there was sufficient
material to sustain this ground of detention.
76. In the case of State of Gujarat v. Chamanlal Manjibhai Soni this Court maintained the order of the High Court quashing the detention. This
Court observed that detention u/s 3 of the Act was only for the purpose of preventing smuggling and all the grounds, whether there are one or
more, would be relatable only to various activities of smuggling and no other separate ground which could deal with matters other than smuggling
could be conceived of because the Act of smuggling covered several activities each forming a separate ground of detention and the Act dealt with
no other act except smuggling. Whenever allegations of smuggling were made against a person who was sought to be detained for preventing
further smuggling there is bound to be one act or several acts with the common object of smuggling goods which was sought to be prevented by
the Act. It would, therefore, not be correct to say that the object of the Act constituted the ground for detention. This view is respectfully reiterated
but in the instant case, the authorities concerned came to the conclusion that the detenus were engaged in smuggling, in support of the same they
relied on several factors namely :
(1) The search and seizure at room No. 316 at Dwarka Hotel and recovery of 60 gold biscuits,
(2) The fact that the importation of the 60 gold biscuits could not be explained by the detenu Veniial.
(3) The secretive manner in which the said gold biscuits were kept.
(4) The connection with the various dealers as mentioned hereinbefore and the statements of the employees of the dealers that the father and the
sons used to come with gold bars.
77. These materials were in addition to the statements and confessions made u/s 108 of the Custom; Act by the father, the sons and the daughter.
So even if the statements made u/s 108 by the father, the sons and the daughter are ignored and obliterated, the other facts remain and these are
good enough materials to come to the prima facie belief that detention of the detenus was neceseary.
78. Reliance was placed in the case of Ashadevi, wife of Gopal Ghermal Mehta (Detenu) v. K. Shiveraj, Addl. Chief Secretary to the Government
of Gujarat and Anr. [1979] 2 S.C.R. 251. There a detention order under G Section 3(1) of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention
of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 was passed by the respondent against the detenu with a view to prevent him from engaging in transporting
smuggled gold. When the detenu was in the custody of the Customs Offcere, his advocate addressed a letter and sent a telegram to them
protesting against his detention and illegal custody beyond 24 hours and also expressing an apprehension that he was being detained with a view to
obtain confessional statements under duress. It was admitted that the advocate''s request for permission to remain present at the time of
interrogation of the detenu was turned down by the Customs Officers. The advocate was also told that the detenu would be produced before a
Magistrate on the day of request but that was not done. He was produced on the following day and was remanded to judicial custody permitting
further interrogation while in judicial custody, the detenu refused to sign the further statements and squarely resiled. While the detenu''s application
for bail was pending before the Magistrate, the respondent passed the impugned order. In petition under Article 226 of the Constitution for the
issue of a writ of habeas corpus, the appellant contended that the order of the detaining authority was liable to be set aside because full facts of the
case were not intimated before the detention order was passed, and therefore, there was complete non-application of mind of the detaining
authority to the attendant vital circumstances. It was held that the impugned order was invalid and illegal because there was complete non-
application of the mind of the detaining authority to the most material and vital facts. In the instant case before us, there was no request for
consultation with the advocate. There is no case of non-production in spite of intimation by the advocate to the Customs Officers before a
Magistrate. The confessional statements of course, were retracted. But in this case the confessional statement was not the only fact upon which the
detaining authority had passed an order. In the premises even if the confessional statements which were retracted as such could not be taken into
consideration, there are other facts independent of the confessional statement as mentioned hereinbefore which can reasonably lead to the
satisfaction that the authorities have come to.
79. The contention on behalf of the detenus that there was delay in serving the grounds upon the detenus has been dealt with. There is no
substance in the contention in view of what is stated hereinbefore.
80. So far as the ground that the detenus were not allowed to be represented properly before the Advisory Board, from the facts narrated in
affidavit in opposition where it has been stated that services of Dr. S.C. Purohit, Senior Scientist, V.S.S.C. Thumba, Trivandrum and Dr. Mrs.
Purohit were available to the detenu to translate the statements of the detenu to the Advisory Board. The detenu was detained on 20 June, 1984.
As required u/s 8(3) of the Act, the case of the detenu was referred to the Advisory Board in Government letter dated 18 July. 1981. The
representations submitted by the detenu were also forwarded to the Advisory Board for its consideration. The services of the two persons
mentioned hereinbefore were utilised by the Board in understanding the statement of the detenu and deciphreing the representation in Gujarati
submitted by the detenu, Venilal Mehta to the State Government which was also forwarded to the Board. Therefore, it cannot be said that detenus
have not been given proper facility to be represented before the Advisory Board. The contention that the fact that there was retraction of the
confession not having been taken into consideration had vitiated orders has been dealt with. The allegation or the submission that the detaining
authority did not independently consider the representation of the detenu put mechanically followed the opinion of the Advisory Board cannot be
sustained in view of the facts and circumstances of this case.
81. In this case there was evidence before the authorities concerned that 60 gold biscuits of foreign origin without any explanation of their
importation were found in the possession of the father�that is undisputed. Venilal could not give any explanation of their being in there
possession. These were smuggled. Secondly, there was evidence in view of the subsequent other facts independent of the confessions of the father
and the sons and the daughter that the father was in contact with persons who were buying smuggled gold from him and buying at high prices. Their
telephone number were found and they could be identified from the papers seized during the search at his hold room The detenu Venilal made a
mercy petition.
82. As the statement of objects and reasons of 1975 Amending Act state that smuggling of forcing exchange racketeering and related activities
have a deterious effect on the national economy and thereby a serious adverse effect on the security of State. The society must be protected from
that social menace by immobilizing the persons by detention of the persons engaged in those operations and to disrupt the machinery established
for furthering smuggling and foreign exchange manipulations (Statement of objects and reasons of 1975 Act). Preventive detention unlike punitive
detention which is to punish for the wrong done, is to protect the society by preventing wrong being done. Though such powers must be very
cautiously exercised not to undermine the fundamental freedoms guaranteed to our people, the procedural safeguards are to ensure that, yet these
must be looked at from a pragmatic and commonsense point of view. The exercise of the power of Preventive detention must be strictly within the
safeguards provided. We are governed by the Constitution and our Constitution embodies a particular philosophy of government and a way of life
and that necessarily requires understanding between those who exercise powers and the people over whom or in respect of whom such power is
exercised. The purpose of exercise of all such powers by the Government must be to promote common well-being and must be to sub-serve the
common good. It is necessary to be protect therefore the individual rights in so far as practicable which are not inconsistent with the security and
well-being of the society. Grant of power imposes limitation on the use of the power. There arc various procedural safeguards and we must
construe those in proper light and from pragmatic commonsense point of view. We must remember that observance of written law about the
procedural safeguards for the protection of the individual is normally the high duty of public official but in ail circumstances not the highest. The law
of self-preservation and protection of the country and national security may claim in certain circumstances higher priority.
83. As has been said by Thomas Jefferson ""To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose itself, with life, liberty,
property and all those who are enjoying them with us, thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means"" (Thomas Jefferson, Writings (Washington
ed), V. 542-545 and The Constitution Between Friends by Loutis Fisher 47). By the aforesaid approach both justice and power can be brought
together and whatever is just may be powerful and whatever may be powerful may be just.
84. In the background of the facts and circumstances of this case the procedural safeguards have been complied with as far as practicable. There
are no merits in the fancied grievances of the detenus. In that view of the matter, these petitions fail and are accordingly dismissed.