JUDGMENT 1. Heard Mr. B.D. Knowar, learned Counsel for the Petitioner and Mrs. A. Hazarika, learned State counsel for the Respondents. 2. On 5.3.2003, the Petitioner/detenue was detained under the National Security Act, 1980 (hereinafter referred as the Act) under an order issued by the District Magistrate, Jorhat. The Petitioner/detenue was served with the grounds of detention on 6.3.2003. The order of detention issued by the District Magistrate had been reported to the State Government. 3. It is admitted fact that the order of detention passed by the District Magistrate on 5.3.2003 of which the grounds of detention had been served on 6.3.2003 had been approved by the State Government on 20.3.2003. The approval of the State Government of the order of detention beyond the period of twelve days is contrary to the provision of Sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Act. The detention order issued by the District Magistrate shall not remain in force for more than twelve days unless it has been approved by the State Government within that period. This is an import of Sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Act that beyond twelve days unless the proviso to Sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Act is applicable, the detention order does not remain in force. 4. In the present case, the detention order having been not approved within twelve days by the State Government, it does not have any legal sanctity after twelve days. The detention order issued by the District Magistrate, Jorhat dated 5.3.2003 is hereby quashed. The detenu shall be set at liberty forthwith unless he is not required in other cases. The writ petition stands disposed of.