The State of Madhya Pradesh and Another v. Baldeo Prasad
Constitutional law – Fundamental rights
Case brief
What is this about?
State of Madhya Pradesh and Another v. Baldeo Prasad, Civil Appeal No. 271 of 1956, Supreme Court of India, decided October 3, 1960 (Gajendragadkar J. for a Bench of five). Constitutional validity of the Central Provinces and Berar Goondas Act, 1946 (X of 1946) as amended by Madhya Pradesh Act XLIX of 1950: externment/directions against 'goondas' in proclaimed areas under ss. 4 and 4-A challenged under Arts. 19(1)(d), (e), 13 and tested against Art. 19(5). Holding: a preventive-action statute must expressly require the authority to satisfy itself of all statutory conditions precedent; absence of any requirement to first determine that the person is a 'goonda', absence of guidance, no opportunity to rebut that status, and an inclusive definition devoid of tests render the restrictions unreasonable; ss. 4 and 4-A invalid and the whole Act falls. Nagpur High Court (Misc. Petition No. 249 of 1955, order dated August 2, 1955) confirmed; appeal dismissed with costs. Cases referred: Gurbachan Singh v. State of Bombay [1952] SCR 737; Bhagubhai Dullabhabhai Bhandari v. District Magistrate, Thana [1956] SCR 533; Hari Khemu Gawali v. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bombay [1956] SCR 506 (comparatively, Bombay Police Acts of 1902 and 1951, ss. 27, 56, 57, 59(1)). Keywords: goonda; externment; proclaimed area; condition precedent; vagueness; reasonable restrictions; Article 19(5); whole Act invalid.