The District Collector & Ors vs Smt. Shaik Hasmath Beebi

The Supreme Court held that the failure to dispose of a detenu's representation for temporary release under Section 15 of the Andhra Pradesh Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Boot Leggers, Dacoits, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Land Grabbers Act, 1986, within a reasonable time constitutes a violation of the detenu's constitutional right under Article 22(5). The Court quashed the detention order, emphasizing the necessity of timely consideration of such representations to uphold the principles of natural justice. The ruling reinforces the importance of procedural safeguards in preventive detention cases.