The petition, filed by Iqbal Sayyed of Hadapsar in Pune, who is lodged in Nashik Road Central Prison, claimed that there was no sufficient material on the basis of which his activities amounted to breach of public order. He sought to demonstrate that there is a distinction between “public order” and “law and order”, and sought quashing of the detention order, as the MPDA Act is applicable to breach of public order. The public prosecutor maintained that Sayyed is a habitual criminal and the offences he indulged in affected public order. A division bench of Justice S C Dharmadhikari and Justice Bharathi Dangre observed that, “The term ‘public order’ is synonymous with public peace, public safety and tranquility and qualitatively the acts that affect law and order are not different from acts that affect public order. Both have the potential to disturb the even tempo of life and community, which make it prejudicial to the maintenance of public order….” said the Bench.

Source: Indian Express October 25, 2017 21:25 UTC