Detaining Authority Must Provide Detainees with Legible, Readable Copies : Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that preventive detention orders must include legible and readable copies of all documents relied upon, failing which the order is invalid.

A bench ruled that illegible documents violate Section 7(2) of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and Article 22(5) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to be informed of the ground of detention and to make an effective representation.

The Court quashed a detention order under KAAPA, emphasising that even seemingly minor procedural lapses, like blurry or unreadable records, undermine personal liberty and procedural fairness. (Manjusha K.P v. State of Kerala)