Preventive detention requires real subjective satisfaction; reliance on non-incriminating documents vitiated the detention order.

Preventive detention requires a real and rational subjective satisfaction based on relevant material. Where the detaining authority states that it relied on documents forming part of the detention record, those documents must disclose a live nexus with the alleged prejudicial activity. Reliance on papers that, on their face, contain no incriminating material, without clarifying that they were merely before the authority, shows casual and mechanical consideration rather than proper application of mind. The detention order was therefore held vitiated by non-application of mind and could not be sustained, resulting in quashing of the order and release of the detenu.

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Issues: Whether the detention order was vitiated for non-application of mind because the detaining authority stated that it had relied upon documents which contained no incriminating material against the detenu.

Analysis: Preventive detention requires a real and rational subjective satisfaction based on relevant material. Where the detaining authority asserts reliance on documents forming part of the basis of detention, those documents must disclose a live nexus with the prejudicial activity. If the authority states that it relied on papers which, on their face, contain nothing incriminating and does not clarify that they were merely placed before it, the satisfaction is shown to be casual and mechanical rather than the result of proper consideration of the material.

Conclusion: The detention order was vitiated by non-application of mind and could not be sustained.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition succeeded, and the detention order was quashed with consequential release of the detenu.

Ratio Decidendi: A preventive detention order is invalid if the detaining authority's asserted reliance includes documents bearing no incriminating nexus to the detenu, because such reliance demonstrates failure to apply mind and destroys the requisite subjective satisfaction.

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