In Brief
A man was detained under the Telangana Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1986 based on criminal incidents from 2002-2007 (9-14 years prior). The Supreme Court held that stale incidents cannot rationally support a conclusion that someone will pose a danger to public order in the immediate future. The Court emphasized that preventive detention requires a live, proximate link between past conduct and present danger; without this connection, the detention becomes punishment without trial. The Court also held that detention should not ordinarily be imposed on under-trial prisoners merely to prevent bail; the proper remedy is to oppose bail grants. Setting aside the detention order, the Court reinforced strict limits on using old incidents as grounds for preventive detention.
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