LAWS(SC)-2008-3-90

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. BHAURAO PUNJABRAO GAWANDE

Decided On March 03, 2008
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Appellant
V/S
BHAURAO PUNJABRAO GAWANDE Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The present appeal is filed by the State of Maharashtra and others against the sole respondent (original petitioner) against the judgment and order passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Nagpur Bench) on October 17, 2006 in Writ Petition No. 372 of 2006. By the impugned order, the High Court (partly) allowed the petition filed by the detenu-writ petitioner and set aside the order of detention dated July 27, 2006 passed by the Commissioner of Police (Nagpur City) under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.

(3.) The case of the appellants is that one Bhaurao Punjabrao Gawande (detenu) was running a business of transportation of petroleum products and had fleet of tankers for carrying on the said occupation. He was indulging in illegal purchase and sale of blue kerosene oil in black market since last five to six years. Certain cases were also registered against the said Bhaurao under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as '1955 Act'). In view of continuous activities of Bhaurao in black-marketing of essential commodity (Kerosene), the Commissioner of Police (appellant No.2 herein), in exercise of power conferred on him by sub-section (1) read with Clause (b) of sub-section (2) of the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') directed that the said Bhaurao be detained. Grounds of detention were sought to be served to the detenu on the same day.