Bombay High Court Quashes Detention Order Due to Lack of Urdu Translation of Marathi Statements

The Bombay High Court has set aside a detention order under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, ruling that the accused’s rights were violated due to a language barrier.

The petitioner, Shahabaz Ahmed Mohammad Yusuf, was detained on July 30, 2024, for his alleged involvement in multiple crimes, including assault and robbery. 

The Court noted that Shahabaz was not given translated witness statements in Urdu, his primary language, as they were recorded in Marathi.

The Bench held that this failure deprived Yusuf of his right to challenge the detention under Article 22(5) of the Constitution. 

The Court ordered his immediate release unless required in another case.