RAM KRISHNA PAUL vs THE GOVT. OF WEST BENGAL & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the detention order against Ram Krishna Paul under Section 3 of the West Bengal (Prevention of Violent Activities) Act, 1970 was quashed due to the presence of an extraneous ground that did not legally justify the detention. The Court emphasized that all grounds for detention must be relevant and lawful, and the failure to adhere to this principle rendered the order invalid. Consequently, the petitioner was ordered to be set at liberty, reinforcing the importance of lawful detention procedures under Article 21 of the Constitution.