Rohit Kesrinath Patil @ Dappu v. Commissioner of Police, Thane
2018-03-28
PRAKASH D.NAIK, S.C.DHARMADHIKARI
body2018
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT : PRAKASH D. NAIK, J. The Petitioner has invoked the writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of Constitution of India and has sought issuance of writ of habeas corpus for setting aside the order dated 6th January, 2018 issued under section 3 of Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, bootleggers, Drug-offenders and Dangerous Persons, Sand Smugglers and Persons Engaged in Black Marketing of Essential Commodities Act, 1981. 2. The order of detention under challenge was executed on the Petitioner/detenu on 9th January, 2018. The said order was issued by Respondent No. 1 with a view to prevent the Petitioner from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. Along with the order of detention, the Petitioner was served with the grounds of detention formulated by the detaining authority on the basis of which the impugned order was issued against the Petitioner. 3. The order of detention has been challenged on various grounds. However, the ground No. 6(b) is sufficient to set aside the impugned order. Hence, we did not consider the other grounds raised by the Petitioner in this Petition. Ground 6(b) reads thus; “b. The Petitioner says and submits that the detaining authority has taken into consideration two criminal cases vide C.R. No. I-319 of 2017 and C.R. No. I-320 of 2017 registered against the Petitioner and two statements of witnesses ‘A’ and ‘B’ recorded in-camera for passing the order of detention. It is pertinent to note that the incidents of these C.Rs. And statements have taken place within the jurisdiction of Kalwa Police Station, Thane whereas while recording his satisfaction in paragraph 7 of the grounds of detention, it is mentioned that the Petitioner has unleashed a reign of terror and have become a perpetual danger to the Society at large in the areas of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station. Thus, the satisfaction recorded is excessive and erroneous. The satisfaction of the detaining authority is taken into consideration extra areas of Thane while formulating the grounds of detention and recording his subjective satisfaction. The satisfaction of the detaining authority vitiates. The order of detention is illegal and bad in law, liable to be quashed and set aside.” 4. Mr. Tripathi, the learned Counsel representing the Petitioner urged that the satisfaction recorded is excessive and erroneous.
The satisfaction of the detaining authority vitiates. The order of detention is illegal and bad in law, liable to be quashed and set aside.” 4. Mr. Tripathi, the learned Counsel representing the Petitioner urged that the satisfaction recorded is excessive and erroneous. It is submitted that the detaining authority has taken into consideration two Criminal Cases registered vide C.R. No. I-319 of 2017 and C.R. No. I-320 of 2017 registered against the Petitioner and two statements of witness ‘A’ and ‘B’ recorded in-camera for passing the order of detention. It is submitted that incidents which are subject matter of the aforesaid cases had allegedly occurred within the jurisdiction of Kalwa Police Station. Whereas, while recording the satisfaction in the grounds of detention, it is stated that the Petitioner has unleashed a reign of terror and has become a perpetual danger to the Society at large in the areas of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station. Thus, according to the learned Counsel for the Petitioner, the detaining authority has taken into consideration extra areas of Thane while formulating the grounds of detention and recording his subjective satisfaction, thereby, vitiating the order of detention. The learned Counsel relied upon the decision of this Court delivered in Writ Petition No. 5052 of 2015 in the case Vijaya Ganesh Gajare vs. Commissioner of Police dated 6th May, 2016. 5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the satisfaction recorded in paragraph 7 of the grounds of detention is not excessive and/or erroneous. Merely, on account of making references to the two areas viz. Kapurbawadi and Naupada would not vitiate the subject satisfaction of the detaining authority. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor relied upon the explanation tendered in paragraph 10 of the affidavit in reply filed by the detaining authority. 6. We have perused the documents on record. The order of detention was issued by Respondent No. 1 with a view to prevent the Petitioner from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. In paragraph 1 of the grounds of detention, it is mentioned that the detenu is being communicated, the grounds mentioned in paragraph 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) on which the detention order has been issued by the detaining authority against the Petitioner under section 3(2) of the said Act.
In paragraph 1 of the grounds of detention, it is mentioned that the detenu is being communicated, the grounds mentioned in paragraph 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) on which the detention order has been issued by the detaining authority against the Petitioner under section 3(2) of the said Act. It is further stated that the copies of documents placed before the detaining authority on which he has relied upon and formed his subjective satisfaction are enclosed, except the names and identifying particulars of witnesses/victims in connection with the grounds as mentioned in paragraph No. 5(a) and 5(b) which were not furnished to the detenu in the public interest for which he claims privilege. In paragraph 2 of the grounds of detention, it is stated that the Petitioner is violent and terrorizing criminal character on the record of Kalwa Police Station, Thane Commissionerate, Thane city. According to the extract of History Sheet register maintained at Kalwa Police Station and cases cited therein, it is clear that the detenu is indulging in criminal activities since 2012 and his activities are prejudicial to the maintenance of public order in the localities of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Stations. The said paragraph makes reference to the cases registered against the Petitioner at Kalwa Police Station in the year 2012, 2014 and 2016. Reference is also made to two cases registered with the same Police Station vide C.R. No. I-319 of 2017 and I320 of 2017. This two cases are referred to in ground No. 4(a) and 4(b) of the grounds of detention, which according to the detaining authority were relied upon while issuing the order of detention. The reference is also made to one case registered with Kapurbawadi Police Station in the year 2015 and Naupada Police Station in the year 2017 vide C.R. No. I-87 of 2015 and I-97 of 2017. 7. In paragraph 4 of the grounds of detention, it is stated that the Petitioners criminal activities are noticed in the incidents referred to in the said paragraph, which shows continuance of his tendency and inclination towards committing crime, showing no respect to the existing law of the land. Paragraph 4(a) refers to C.R. No. I-319 of 2017 registered with Kalwa Police Station under sections 392, 452, 504, 506(2), 34 of Indian Penal Code read with sections 37(1), 135 of Maharashtra Police Act.
Paragraph 4(a) refers to C.R. No. I-319 of 2017 registered with Kalwa Police Station under sections 392, 452, 504, 506(2), 34 of Indian Penal Code read with sections 37(1), 135 of Maharashtra Police Act. The incident in both the aforesaid cases had allegedly occurred on 27th September, 2017. Both the cases are pending in the Court. Paragraph 5 of the grounds of detention refers to the statements of witness ‘A’ and witness ‘B’ which were recorded in-camera as the victims were afraid and were not willing to come forward to depose against the Petitioner openly. The said statements were purportedly recorded on 28th October, 2017 and 25th October, 2017. In the light of the assertion in paragraph 1 of the grounds of detention the order of detention is based on the two cases referred to hereinabove in paragraph 4(a) and 4(b) reflected in paragraph 5 of the grounds of detention. The alleged activities in connection with the said cases and the in-camera statements had purportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of Kalwa Police Station and the areas such as Kapurbawadi and Naupada were not involved in any of the alleged activities on which the order of detention is issued. In paragraph 6, it is stated that from the instances quoted in paragraph No. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) of the grounds of detention, it is seen that the Petitioner is a habitual and dangerous criminal involved in serious crimes. His dangerous and criminal activities are threatening to public life and property. To contain his criminal activities, preventive actions were taken against him. However, his criminal activities are showing an ascending trend and are prejudicial to maintenance of public order. The averments in this paragraph also fortify the fact that the order is based on the incidents reflected in para 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) of the grounds of detention. 8. In paragraph No. 7 of grounds of detention, however, it is stated as follows; “7. From the above facts, I am subjectively satisfied that you are a “dangerous person” as defined in section 2 (b-1) of the said Act. You have unleashed a reign of terror and have become a perpetual danger to the society at large in the area of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Stations.
From the above facts, I am subjectively satisfied that you are a “dangerous person” as defined in section 2 (b-1) of the said Act. You have unleashed a reign of terror and have become a perpetual danger to the society at large in the area of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Stations. The people are experiencing a sense of insecurity and are living under shadow of constant fear, whereby even day-to-day business and activities of citizens are under threat. You show no respect to law of the land and to the citizens of the society where you live. You are perpetually an impulsive violent man who wants to spread terror in the society by your violent criminal activities, in connivance with your other criminal associates.” Thus, the subjective satisfaction recorded by the detaining authority shows that, the Petitioner is a dangerous person as defined under the said Act and that he has unleashed the reign of terror and has become perpetual danger to the Society at large in the area of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station. The detaining authority has therefore, referred to the area of Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station which was beyond the incidents reflected in paragraph 4 and 5 of the grounds of detention. In the light of introductory paragraph of the grounds of detention, which states that the detenu is being communicated the grounds as mentioned in paragraph 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) on which the detention order has been issued by the detaining authority under the provisions of the said act, it is apparent that the detaining authority while recording the subjective satisfaction has taken into consideration extra areas. There is total non application of mind on the part of detaining authority. The satisfaction recorded is therefore excessive and erroneous which vitiates the same and the order of detention. 9. The affidavit in reply filed by the detaining authority states that, the satisfaction in paragraph 7 of the grounds of detention has been rightly recorded by the detaining authority. It would be relevant to quote paragraph 10 of the affidavit in reply dealing with the submissions advanced by the Petitioner which reads as follows. “10.
9. The affidavit in reply filed by the detaining authority states that, the satisfaction in paragraph 7 of the grounds of detention has been rightly recorded by the detaining authority. It would be relevant to quote paragraph 10 of the affidavit in reply dealing with the submissions advanced by the Petitioner which reads as follows. “10. With reference to ground 6(b) of the petition, it is denied that the satisfaction recorded in para 7 of the grounds of detention is excessive and erroneous as it is mentioned in said para that the petitioner has unleashed a reign of terror and have become perpetual danger to the society at large in the area of Kalwa, Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station. It is submitted that I being Detaining Authority has rightly recorded the satisfaction in para 7 of the grounds of detention as the detenu has created reign of terror due to his prejudicial activities, in the area of Kalwa as well as Naupada and Kapurbawadi areas which are nearby and adjoining to the jurisdictional areas of Kalwa Police Station.” Thus, the detaining authority has affirmed the satisfaction in para 7 of the grounds of detention by stating that the detenu has created reign of terror due to his prejudicial activities in the area of Kalwa as well as Naupada and Kapurbawadi areas which are nearby and adjoining to the jurisdictional areas of Kalwa Police Station. In exercise of powers of preventive detention the detenu is subjected to detention and deprived of his liberty without being tried for any offence and all the more it is expected that there is application of mind on the part of the detaining authority while issuing the order of detention. The contents of paragraph 7 of grounds of detention, and the reply filed by the detaining authority are contrary to averments in paragraph 1 of the grounds of detention. 10. In the case of Vijaya Gajare (supra) similar ground was agitated before this Court while challenging the order of detention. In the grounds of detention which was the subject matter of the said Petition also the detaining authority has recorded his subjective satisfaction alleging that the detenu has unleashed reign of terror and has become perpetual danger to the Society at large in areas of Kondhawa, Wanawadi and Hadapsar Police Stations, Pune city.
In the grounds of detention which was the subject matter of the said Petition also the detaining authority has recorded his subjective satisfaction alleging that the detenu has unleashed reign of terror and has become perpetual danger to the Society at large in areas of Kondhawa, Wanawadi and Hadapsar Police Stations, Pune city. Whereas, the incidents referred to in the grounds of detention, on the basis of which the order of detention was issued occurred within the jurisdiction of Hadapsar Police Station of Pune city. This Court therefore observed that the grounds on which the subjective satisfaction is based must be such as a rational human being can consider connected with the fact in respect of which the satisfaction is to be reached. They must be relevant to the subject matter of the inquiry and from the facts a legitimate inference can fairly be drawn that the authority had not applied its mind to the relevant facts. Where the liberty of a subject is involved and he has been detained without trial, and a law made pursuant to Article 22 which provides certain safeguards, it is the duty of the Court as the custodian and sentinel on the ever vigilant guard of the freedom of individual to scrutinize with due care and anxiety that this precious right, which the detenu has under the Constitution is not in any way taken away capriciously, arbitrarily or without any legal justification. It would be pertinent to note that in the present case in paragraph 2 there is a reference to C.R. No. I-97 of 2007 registered with Naupada Police Station and C.R. No. I-87 of 2015 registered with Kapurbawadi Police Station. However, the detaining authority has categorically averred that the grounds on which the order of detention is issued are reflected in paragraph Nos. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b). In these circumstances, there was no occasion for the detaining authority to arrive at the subjective satisfaction by including the activities allegedly occurred within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawadi and Naupada Police Station which reflects total non application of mind. The order of detention was issued with a view to prevent the detenu from acting prejudicially to the maintenance of public order.
The order of detention was issued with a view to prevent the detenu from acting prejudicially to the maintenance of public order. This subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority refers to extraneous material which is contrary to the assertions made in the grounds of detention that the order is based on the incidents which had occurred within the jurisdiction of Kalwa Police Station. In view of the above, the order of detention is required to be set aside. Hence, we pass the following order. ORDER 1. Criminal Writ Petition No. 736 of 2018 is allowed. 2. The impugned order of detention bearing No. TC/PD/MPDA/01/2018 dated 6th January, 2018 passed by Respondent No. 1 be quashed and set aside and the detenu be released forthwith, if not required in any other case. Rule is made absolute accordingly. Petition allowed.