- (1.) By means of this Habeas Corpus writ petition filed under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner has sought quashing of the detention order dated 1-10-2003, Annexure 1 to the petition passed by the District Magistrate, Muzaffarnagar under S. 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980 (briefly, the Act).
(2.) In the grounds of detention, it is alleged that the petitioner is a branded criminal and offences of serious nature have been committed by him in the district. The petitioner is involved in several offences of murder, kidnapping, extortion and land grabbing. The people in the area have become terror stricken and panicky due to the activities of the petitioner. The criminal history of the petitioner and specific instances of his involvement in several offences have also been narrated in the grounds of detention. It is further alleged that the petitioner is making every effort to be released on bail and there is strong possibility of his being released on bail by the High Court. In the above circumstances, the District Magistrate, Muzaffarnagar was satisfied that the activities of the petitioner were prejudicial to the maintenance of public order in the area and it was necessary to pass the impugned detention order.
(3.) Counter and rejoinder-affidavits have been exchanged between the parties.;