REGISTERED No. D-28
The Gazette 
of India
EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
NEW DELHI, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1950
PART IV
Acts of Parliament assented to by the President
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW
New Delhi, the 26th February, 1950
The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 25th February, 1950 and is hereby published for general information:—
THE PREVENTIVE DETENTION ACT, 1950
NO. IV of 1950
An Act to provide for preventive detention in certain cases and matters connected therewith.
Be it enacted by Parliament as follows: —
1. Short title, extent and duration.—This Act may be called the Preventive Detention Act, 1950.
(2) It extends to the whole of India:
Provided that it shall not apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir except to the extent to which the provisions of this Act relate to preventive detention for reasons connected with defence, foreign affairs or the security of India.
(3) It shall cease to have effect on the 1st day of April, 1951, save as respects things done or omitted to be done before that date.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
- (a) "State Government" means, in relation to a Part C State, the
Chief Commissioner of the State; and
- (b) "detention order" means an order made under section 3.
3. Power to make orders detaining certain persons.—(1) The Central Government or the State Government may—
- (a) if satisfied with respect to any person that with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to—
- (i) the defence of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, or the security of India, or
- (ii) the security of the State or the maintenance of public order, or
- (iii) the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community, or
- (b) if satisfied with respect to any person who is a foreigner within the meaning of the Foreigners Act, 1946 (XXXI of 1946), that with a view
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