(1.) In this writ petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India, the challenge is to the order of detention dated May 5, 1993 passed by the Joint Secretary to the Government of India against the petitioner. The detention of the petitioner has been ordered under S. 3(1) of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (for short 'COFEPOSA Act').
(2.) The facts set out in the grounds of detention are as under : On March 10, 1993 the petitioner was intercepted in the security zone of the IGI Airport, New Delhi, when he was about to fly to Singapore. His baggage was recalled from the aircraft and searched. The search of the baggage resulted in seizure of the following currencies :
(3.) Pursuant to the notice under S. 40 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 the petitioner, inter alia, admitted the seizure of the foreign currencies from his baggage. He also stated that he had purchased some of the seized travellers cheques as per the following details :