UJJAL MANDAL vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL

The Supreme Court ruled that the detention of the petitioner under the West Bengal (Prevention of Violent Activities) Act, 1970 was illegal as it exceeded the three-month limit prescribed by Article 22(4) of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that the State Government's confirmation of the detention order on 17-8-1971 was beyond the permissible period, thus violating the constitutional safeguards against preventive detention. Consequently, the Court ordered the release of the petitioner from illegal detention.