STATE OF MAHARASHTRA vs BHAURAO PUNJABRAO GAWANDE

The Supreme Court upheld the order of the High Court that quashed the detention of Bhaurao Punjabrao Gawande under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980. The Court found that the detention order was vitiated due to non-compliance with procedural safeguards, particularly the failure to serve the grounds of detention to the detenu as mandated by Section 3(3) of the Act. The Court emphasized the necessity of adhering to legal procedures in detention matters, thereby reinforcing the protection of individual liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.