{"id":1388,"date":"2026-02-09T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/?p=1388"},"modified":"2026-02-08T12:04:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T06:34:48","slug":"saga-of-preventive-detention-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/?p=1388","title":{"rendered":"Saga of Preventive Detention in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In India, the power to enact preventive detention laws is divided between the Union (Parliament) and the State Legislatures. According to the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union has exclusive power for reasons connected with defense, foreign affairs, or the security of India (List I, Entry 9).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both the Union and States have concurrent power for reasons connected with the security of a State, maintenance of public order, or maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community (List III, Entry 3).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a list of the primary preventive detention laws categorized by the Union and various States\/UTs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Detention\" class=\"wp-image-16\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/photo_2025-07-23_17-30-20-YNq2gXlG7pIkn2VP.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Union Government (Central Laws)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These laws are enacted by Parliament and apply across the country, though they are often executed by state-level machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Act Name<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/td><td>General preventive detention for security of the state and public order.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974<\/td><td>Prevention of smuggling and conservation of foreign exchange.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS), 1988<\/td><td>Prevention of drug trafficking.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980<\/td><td>To prevent activities prejudicial to the supply of essential goods.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967<\/td><td>While primarily a criminal law, it contains provisions that allow for extended detention during investigation.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Union Territories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UTs are directly governed by the Union; therefore, the Union laws are their primary framework, but some have unique local extensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Union Territory<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Primary Law(s)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/td><td>J&amp;K Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ladakh<\/td><td>J&amp;K Public Safety Act, 1978 (Retained after reorganization)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Delhi (NCT)<\/td><td>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Puducherry<\/td><td>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lakshadweep<\/td><td>Primarily Central Acts (NSA, PITNDPS)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Others (D&amp;NH, DD, etc.)<\/td><td>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State Governments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many states have specific &#8220;Prevention of Dangerous Activities&#8221; acts (often called Goonda Acts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Primary Preventive Detention Law(s)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Andhra Pradesh<\/strong><\/td><td>AP Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Dacoits&#8230; Act, 1986<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Arunachal Pradesh<\/strong><\/td><td>Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Assam<\/strong><\/td><td>Assam Preventive Detention Act, 1980<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bihar<\/strong><\/td><td>Bihar Control of Crimes Act, 1981<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Chhattisgarh<\/strong><\/td><td>Chhattisgarh Rajya Suraksha Adhiniyam, 1990 (Inherited from MP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Goa<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Gujarat<\/strong><\/td><td>Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA), 1985<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Haryana<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Himachal Pradesh<\/strong><\/td><td>HP Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1969; also relies on <strong>NSA<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Jharkhand<\/strong><\/td><td>Jharkhand Control of Crimes Act, 2002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Karnataka<\/strong><\/td><td>Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities&#8230; Act, 1985 (Goonda Act)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Kerala<\/strong><\/td><td>Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAPPA), 2007<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Madhya Pradesh<\/strong><\/td><td>M.P. Rajya Suraksha Tatha Lok Vyavastha Adhiniyam, 1980<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Maharashtra<\/strong><\/td><td>Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, 1981<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Manipur<\/strong><\/td><td>Manipur Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2023<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Meghalaya<\/strong><\/td><td>Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act, 1995<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mizoram<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nagaland<\/strong><\/td><td>Nagaland Security Regulation, 1962<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Odisha<\/strong><\/td><td>Odisha Preventive Detention Act, 1970<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Punjab<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rajasthan<\/strong><\/td><td>Rajasthan Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2006<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sikkim<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tamil Nadu<\/strong><\/td><td>Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities&#8230; Act, 1982 (Goondas Act)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Telangana<\/strong><\/td><td>Telangana Prevention of Dangerous Activities&#8230; Act, 1986<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tripura<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Uttarakhand<\/strong><\/td><td>Relies on <strong>National Security Act (NSA), 1980<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Uttar Pradesh<\/strong><\/td><td>U.P. Control of Goondas Act, 1970; U.P. Gangsters Act, 1986<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>West Bengal<\/strong><\/td><td>West Bengal Prevention of Violent Activities Act, 1970<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We will definitely discuss all these laws on this site, so bookmark this site and visit regularly to enhance your legal knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"hostinger-affiliate-block-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"hostinger-affiliate-block-list-simple\">\n            <div class=\"hostinger-affiliate-block-list-simple__image\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.in\/dp\/B0GJ7892KY?tag=rinkutai0b-21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51wsU5xl+8L.jpg\" alt=\"Wooden India Map Puzzle for Kids | Educational Learning Montessor...\">\n                        <\/a>\n                                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3).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[20,21,87],"class_list":["post-1388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-criminal-lex","tag-criminal-law","tag-criminology","tag-detention"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Rinku Tai","author_link":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The Union has exclusive power for reasons connected with defense, foreign affairs, or the security of India (List I, Entry 9). Both the Union and States have concurrent power for reasons connected with the security of a State, maintenance of public order, or maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community (List III, Entry&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1388"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1392,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1388\/revisions\/1392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bharatlex-rinkutai.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}