(1.) Through this petition preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner, who is the brother-in-law of detenu Harish Chutraram Bishnoi alias Rajubhai alias Harish, has impugned the detention order dated 30-9-1997 passed by the respondent No. 1 Smt. Reva Nayyar, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, New Delhi, detaining the detenu under section 3(1) of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as the P.I.T.N.D.P.S. Act) and the declaration No. 22/97 dated 21-10-1997, issued under section 10(1) of the P.I.T.N.D.P.S. Act by the 3rd respondent Mr. S.S. Daware, Additional Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, New Delhi.
(2.) The detention order dated 30-9-1997, along with grounds of detention bearing the same date was contemporaneously served on the detenu on 13-10-1997.
(3.) We have heard Mr. R.G. Merchant for the petitioner, Mr. R.M. Agarwal for respondent Nos. 1 to 3 and Mrs. V.K., Tahilramani for respondent Nos. 4 and 5.