Detention Order Under COFEPOSA Invalidated: Authority Failed to Consider Efficacy of Existing Bail Conditions

The SC invalidated a detention order under COFEPOSA Act, finding the detaining authority failed to apply its mind regarding the efficacy of bail conditions already imposed on the detenu. While acknowledging limited judicial review in preventive detention matters, the Court held that when criminal prosecution and preventive detention are based on identical allegations of organized smuggling, the detaining authority must specifically consider whether conditions imposed by the Magistrate while granting bail were sufficient to prevent further smuggling activities. The detention order's silence on this aspect rendered it legally unsustainable, despite the detenu's alleged involvement in smuggling contraband detrimental to national interest. Appeal allowed and detention order set aside. .....

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