LexThe Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1981.
Maharashtra · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act1981 : Mah. LV] 1
THE MAHARASHTRA PREVENTION OF DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES ACT, 1981
[Text as on 13th May 2026]
——————
CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
3. Power to make orders detaining certain persons.
4. Execution of detention orders.
5. Power to regulate place and conditions of detention.
5A. Grounds of detention severably.
6. Detention orders not to be invalid or inoperative on certain grounds.
7. Powers in relation to absconding persons.
8. Grounds of order of detention to be disclosed to persons affected by the order.
9. Constitution of Advisory Boards.
10. Reference to Advisory Board.
11. Procedure of Advisory Boards.
12. Action upon report of Advisory Board.
13. Maximum period of detention.
14. Revocation of detention orders.
15. Temporary release of persons detained.
16. Protection of action taken in good faith.
17. Detention orders against any slumlord, bootlegger, drug-offender or dangerous person to be
made under this Act and not under National Security Act.
17A. Detention order against any person engaged in black-marketing of essential commodities to
be made under this Act and not under prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of
Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.
18. Repeal of Mah. Ord. III of 1981 and saving.
2 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
1981 : Mah. LV] The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous 3
Activities Act, 1981
LIST OF AMENDMENT ACTS
1. Amended by Mah. 24 of 1988
2. Amended by Mah. 29 of 1996
3. Amended by Mah. 32 of 2007
4. Amended by Mah. 24 of 20091 (15-7-2009)
5. Amended by Mah. 5 of 20162 (1-12-2015)
6. Amended by Mah. 29 of 2025 (9-06-2025)
1 Maharashtra Ordinance No. X of 2009 was repealed by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 6.
2 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XXIII of 2015 was repealed by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 7.
Note:- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
4 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
1981 : Mah. LV] The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous 5
Activities Act, 1981
MAHARASHTRA ACT No. LV of 19811
[THE MAHARASHTRA PREVENTION OF DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES ACT, 1981.]
[This Act received the assent of the President on the 21st September 1981 ; assent
was first published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on the 23rd September, 1981.]
An Act to provide for preventive detention of Slumlords, Bootleggers 2[, Drug-offenders,
Dangerous persons, 3[Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers, 4[Persons engaged in Black-marking of
Essential Commodities Illegal Gambling, Illegal Lottery and Human Trafficker]]], for
preventing their dangerous activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.
WHEREAS public order was adversely affected every now and then by the dangerous activities
of certain persons, who are known as Slumlords, Bootleggers and Drug-offenders ;
AND WHEREAS both Houses of the State Legislature were not in session ;
AND WHEREAS having regard to the resources and influence of the persons by whom, the large
scale on which, and the ma nner in which, the dangerous activities were being clandestinely organised
and carried on in violation of law by them, as Slumlords, Bootleggers or Drug-offenders in the State of
Maharashtra, and particularly in its urban areas, the Governor of Maharashtra was satisfied that
circumstances existed which rendered it necessary for him to take immediate action to have a special
law in this State to provide for preventive detention of these three classes of persons and for matters
connected therewith and, theref ore, promulgated the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities
of Slumlords, Bootleggers and Drug -offenders Ordinance, 1981 (Mah. Ord. III of 1981) , on the 11 th
June 1981;
AND WHEREAS it is expedient to replace the said Ordinance by an Act of the Stat e Legislature;
It is hereby enacted in Thirty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows :—
1. Short title, extent and commencement. — (1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra
5[Prevention of Dangerous Activities] Act, 1981.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashtra.
(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 11th June, 1981.
2. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order” means—
(i) in the case of a slumlord, when he is engaged, or is making preparations for
engaging, in any of his activities as a slumlord, which affect adversely, or are likely to affect
adversely, the maintenance of public order ;
(ii) in the case of a bootlegger, when he is engaged, or is making preparations for
engaging, in any of his activities as a bootlegger, which affect adversely, or are likely to
affect adversely, the maintenance of public order ;
(iii) in the case of a drug -offender, when he is engaged, or is making preparations for
engaging, in any of his activities as a drug -offender, which affect adversely, or are likely to
affect adversely, the maintenance of public order ;
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons see “Maharashtra Government Gazette,” 1981, Pt. V., 340-341.
2 These words were substituted for the words “Drug-offenders and Dangerous persons” by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 2.
3 These words were substituted for the words “and Video pirates” by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 2.
4 These words were substituted for the words “and Persons engaged in Black -marketing of Essential Commodities” by
Mah. 29 of 2025, s. 2.
5 These words were substituted for the words “Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug -
offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers a nd Persons engaged in Black -marketing of Essential
Commodities” by Mah. 29 of 2025, s. 3.
6 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
1[(iv) in the case of a dangerous person, when he is engaged, or is making preparation
for engaging, in any of his activities as a dangerous person, which affect adversely, or are
likely to affect adversely, the maintenance of public order] ;
2[(iv-a) in the case of a sand smuggler, when he is engaged, or is making preparations
for engaging, in any of his activities as a sand smuggler which affect adversely, or are likely
to affect adversely, the maintenance of public order ;
(iv-b) in the case of a person engaged in black -marketing of essential commodities,
when he is engaged, or is making preparations for engaging, in any of his activities as a
person engaged in black-marketing of essential commodities, which affect adversely, or are
likely to affect adversely, the maintenance of public order ;]
3[(v) in the case of video pirate, when he is engaged or is making preparations for
engaging in any of his activities as a video pirates, which affect adversely or likely to affect
adversely, the maintenance of public order.]
4[(vi) in the case of a person engaged in illegal gambling or illegal lottery, when he is
engaged or is making preparations for engaging in any of his activities as a person, engaged
in illegal gambling or illegal lottery, which affects adversely, or are likely to affect
adversely, the maintenance of public order ;
(vii) in the case of a human trafficker, when he is engaged or is making preparations
for engaging in any of his activities as human trafficker, which affects adversely, or a re
likely to affect adversely, the maintenance of public order ;]
Explanation.— For the purpose of this clause (a), public order shall be deemed to have been
affected adversely, or shall be deemed likely to be affected adversely, inter alia if any of the
activities of any of the persons referred to in this clause, directly or indirectly, is causing or
calculated to cause any harm, danger or alarm or a feeling of insecurity, among the general public
or any section thereof or a grave or widesp read danger to life or public health 5[or disturbance in
public safety and tranquility or disturbs the day to day life of the community by black -marketing
in the essential commodities which is resulting in the artificial scarcity in the supply of such
commodities and rises in the prices of essential commodities which ultimately causes inflation]
6[or disturbs the life of the community by producing and distributing pirated copies of music or
film products, 7[or by illegal gambling or illegal lottery,] thereby resulting in a loss of confidence
in administrations] ;
(b) “bootlegger” means a person, who distills, manufactures, stores, transports, imports,
exports, sells or distributes any liquor, intoxicating drug or other intoxicant in contravention of
any provisions of the 8Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (Bom. XXV of 1949) and the rules and
orders made thereunder, or of any other law for the time being in force or who knowingly
expends or applies any money or supplies any animal, vehicle, vessel or other conveya nce or any
receptacles or any other materials whatsoever in furtherance or support of the doing any of the
above mentioned things by or through any other person, or who abets in any other manner the
doing of any such thing ;
9[(b-1) “dangerous person” means a person, who either by himself or as a member or leader
of a gang, habitually commits, or attempts to commit or abets the commission of any of the
offences punishable under Chapter XVI or Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal Code (XLV of
1860) or any of the offences punishable under Chapter V of the Arms Act, 1959 (LIV of 1959)] ;
1 Sub-clause (iv) was added by Mah. 29 of 1996, s. 4(a).
2 Sub-clauses (iv-a) and (iv-b) were inserted by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 4(i)(A).
3 Sub-clause (v) was added by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 4(a)(i).
4 Sub-clauses (vi) and (vii) were inserted by Mah. 29 of 2025, s. 4(1)(a).
5 These words were inserted by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 4 (i)(B).
6 This portion was added by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 4 (a) (ii).
7 These words were inserted by Mah. 29 of 2025, s. 4(1)(b).
8 The short title of this Act was amended as “the Maharashtra Prohibition Act” by Mah. 24 of 2012, Sch., entry 37, w.e.f.
1-5-1960.
9 Clause (b-1) was inserted by Mah. 29 of 1996, s. 4(b).
1981 : Mah. LV] The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous 7
Activities Act, 1981
(c) “detention order” means an order made under section 3 ;
(d) “detenu” means a person detained under a detention order ;
(e) “drug -offender” means a person, who manufactures, stocks, imports, exports, sells or
distributes any drug or cultivates any plant or does any other thing in contravention of any
provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (XIII of 1940) or the Dangerous Drugs Act,
1930 (II of 1930) or the rules and orders made under either Act or in contravention of any other
law for the time being in force, or who knowingly expends or applies any money in furtherance or
support of the doing of any of the above mentioned things by or through any other person, or who
abets in any other manner the doing of any such thing ;
1[(e-1) “person engaged in black -marketing of essential commodities” means a person who
is acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies of the commodities essential to
the community.
Explanation.— For the purpose o f this clause, the expression “ acting in any manner
prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies of the commodi ties essential to the community ”
means,—
(i) committing or instigating to commit any offence punish able under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) or under any other law for the time being in force
relating to the control of the production, procurement, supply or distribution of, or trade and
commerce in, any commodity essential to the community ; or
(ii) dealing in any commodity which is essential commodity as defined in the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), or with respect to which provision have been made in
any other law as is referred to in clause (i),
with a view to make a ny gain in any manner which may directly or indirectly defeat or tend to
defeat the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) or any other law
referred to in clause (i) ;
2[(e-1a) “ human trafficker” means a person who individually or as a part of a group of
persons engaged in or in preparing to engage in or associated with or abets human trafficking or
who commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences in respect of human
trafficking which are punishable under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (104 of 1956)
or section 370 or 370A of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) ;
(e-1b) “person engaged in illegal gambling or illegal lottery” means a person who
individually or as part of a group of persons engaged in or in preparing to engage in or associated
with or abets illegal gambling or illegal lottery or engaged in selling of ille gal lottery tickets, or
who commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences in respect of illegal
gambling or illegal lottery which are punishable under the provisions of the Maharashtra
Prevention of Gambling Act (IV of 1887) or the Maha rashtra Lotteries (Control and Tax) and
Prize Competitions (Tax) Act (LXXXII of 1958), or the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 (17 of
1988);]
(e-2) “sand smuggler” means a person who individually or as at part of a group of persons is
engaged in or is prep aring to engage in or associated with or abets unauthorized extraction,
removal, collection, replacement, picking up or disposal of sand and its transportation, storing
and selling or who commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences in respect
of sand which are punishable under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act,
1957 (67 of 1957) or under the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction (Development and
Regulation) Rules, 2013 ;
(f) “slumlord” means a person, who illegally takes possession of any lands (whether
belonging to Government, local authority or any other person) or enters into or creates illegal
tenancies or leave and licence agreements or any other agreements in respect of such lands, or
1 Clauses (e-1) and (e-2) were inserted by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 4 (ii).
2 Clauses (e-1a) and (e-1b) were inserted by Mah. 29 of 2025, s. 4(2).
8 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
who constructs unauthorised structures thereon for sale or hire, or gives such lands to any persons
on rental or leave and licence basis for construction, or use and occupation, of unauthorised
structures, or who knowingly gives financial aid to any persons for taking illegal poss ession of
such lands, or for construction of unauthorised structures thereon, or who collects or attempts to
collect from any occupiers of such lands rent, compensation or other charges by criminal
intimidation, or who evicts or attempts to evict any such occupiers by force without resorting to
the lawful procedure, or who abets in any manner the doing of any of the abovementioned things ;
1[(f-1) “video pirate” means a person against whom at least one chargesheet has already
been filed under the Copyrights Act, 1957 (14 of 1957) for infringement of copyrights relating to
cinematograph film or sound recording and the Court has taken cognizance of such offence ; and
who commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences of infringement of
copyrights in relation to cin ematograph film or sound recording or any part of sound track
associated with the film or sound recording, punishable under the said Act.] ;
(g) “unauthorised structure” means any structure constructed, without express permission in
writing of the Municip al Commissioner in a Municipal Corporation area, and elsewhere of the
Collector, or except in accordance with any law for the time being in force in the area concerned.
3. Power to make orders detaining certain persons. — (1) The State Government may, if
satisfied with respect to any person that with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner
prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, it is necessary so to do, make an order directing that
such person be detained.
(2) If, having regard to the circumstances prevailing or likely to prevail in any area within the
local limits of the jurisdiction of a District Magistrate or a Commissioner of Police, the State
Government is satisfied that it is necessary so to do, it may by order in writing, direct, that during such
period as may be specified in the order such District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police may also, if
satisfied as provided in sub-section (1), exercise the powers conferred by the said sub-section :
Provided that the period specified in the order made by the State Government under this sub -
section shall not, in the first instance, exceed 2[six months] but the State Government may, if satisfied
as aforesaid that it is necessary so to amend such order to extend such period from time to t ime by any
period not exceeding 3[six months] at any one time.
(3) When any order is made under this section by an officer mentioned in sub-section (2), he shall
forthwith report the fact to the State Government, together with the grounds on which the ord er has
been made and such other particulars as, in his opinion, have a bearing on the matter, and no such order
shall remain in force for more than twelve days after the making thereof, unless, in the meantime, it has
been approved by the State Government.
4. Execution of detention orders.— A detention order may be executed at any place in the State
in the manner provided for the execution of warrants of arrest under the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973 (II of 1974).
5. Power to regulate place and condit ions of detention.— Every person in respect of whom a
detention order has been made shall be liable—
(a) to be detained in such place and under such conditions, including conditions as to
maintenance, discipline and punishment for breaches of discipline, as the State Government may,
by general of special order, specify ; and
(b) to be removed from one place of detention to another place of detention, within the State
by order of the State Government.
1 Sub-clause (f-1) was inserted by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 4(b).
2 These words were substituted for the words “three months” by Mah. 32 of 2007, s. 2.
3 These words were substituted for the words “three months” by Mah. 32 of 2007, s. 2.
1981 : Mah. LV] The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous 9
Activities Act, 1981
1[5A. Grounds of detention severable. — Where a person has been detained in pursuance of an
order of detention under section 3 which has been made on two or more grounds, such order of
detention shall be deemed to have been made separately on each of such grounds and accordingly—
(a) such order shall not be deemed to be invalid or inoperative merely because one or some
of the grounds is or are—
(i) vague,
(ii) non-existent,
(iii) not relevant,
(iv) not connected or not proximately connected with such person, or
(v) invalid for any other reason whatsoever,
and it is not, therefore, possible to hold that the State Government or an officer mentioned in sub -
section (2) of section 3 making such order would have been satisfied as provided in section 3 with
reference to the remaining ground or grounds and made the order of detention ;
(b) the State Government or such officer making the order of detention shall be deemed to
have made the order of detention under the said section 3 after being satisfied as provided in that
section with reference to the remaining ground or grounds.]
6. Detention orders not to be invalid or inoperative on certain grounds.— No detention order
shall be invalid or inoperative merely by reason—
(a) that the person to be detained thereunder though within the State is outside the limits of
the territorial jurisdiction of the officer making the order, or
(b) that the place of detention of such person though within the State is outside the said
limits.
7. Powers in relation to absconding persons. — (1) If the State Government, or an officer
mentioned in sub -section (2) of section 3, has reason to believe that a person in respect of whom a
detention order has been made has absconded, or is concealing himself so that the order cannot be
executed, then the pro visions of sections 82 to 86 (both inclusive) of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973 (II of 1974), shall apply in respect of such person and his property, subject to the modifications
mentioned in this sub -section and, irrespective of the place where such person ordinarily resides, the
detention order made against him shall be deemed to be a warrant issued by a competent Court. Where
the detention order is made by the State Government, an officer, not below the rank of District
Magistrate or Commissioner of Police authorised by the State Government in this behalf, or where the
detention order is made by an officer mentioned in sub-section (2) of section 3, such officer, as the case
may be, shall irrespective of his ordinary jurisdiction be deemed to be empo wered to exercise all the
powers of the competent Court under sections 82, 83, 84 and 85 of the said Code for issuing a
proclamation for such person and attachment and sale of his property situated in any part of the State
and for taking any other action u nder the said sections. An appeal from any order made by any such
officer rejecting an application for restoration of attached property shall lie to the Court of Session,
having jurisdiction in the place where the said person ordinarily resides, as provide d in section 86 of
the said Code.
(2) ( a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section ( 1), if the State Government or an
officer mentioned in sub-section (2) of section 3 has reason to believe that a person in respect of whom
a detention order has b een made has absconded or is concealing himself so that the order cannot be
executed, the State Government or the officer, as the case may be, may, by order notified in the Official
Gazette, direct the said person to appear before such officer, at such pla ce and within such period as
may be specified in the order.
(b) If such person fails to comply with such order, unless he proves that it was not possible for
him to comply therewith, and that he had, within the period specified in the order, informed the o fficer
1 Section 5A was inserted by Mah. 24 of 1988, s. 2.
10 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
mentioned in the order of the reasons which rendered compliance therewith impossible and of his
whereabouts, or proves that it was not possible for him to so inform the officer mentioned in the order,
he shall, on conviction, be punished with impris onment for a term which may extend to one year or
with fine, or with both.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in the said Code, every offence under clause ( b) shall be
cognizable.
8. Grounds of order of detention to be disclosed to persons affected by the order. — (1)
When a person is detained in pursuance of a detention order, the authority making the order shall, as
soon as may be, but not later than five days from the date of detention, communicate to him the
grounds on which the order has been mad e and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a
representation against the order to the State Government.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall require the authority to disclose facts which it considers to be
against the public interest to disclose.
9. Constitution of Advisory Boards. — (1) The State Government shall, whenever necessary,
constitute one or more Advisory Boards for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every such Board shall consist of a Chairman and two other members, who are, or have been,
Judges of any High Court or who are qualified under the Constitution of India to be appointed as
Judges of a High Court.
10. Reference to Advisory Board. — In eve ry case where a detention order has been made
under this Act, the State Government shall, within three weeks from the date of detention of a person
under the order, place before the Advisory Board constituted by it under section 9 the grounds on
which the order has been made and the representation, if any, made by the person affected by the order,
and in the case where the order has been made by an officer, also the report by such officer under sub -
section (3) of section 3.
11. Procedure of Advisory Board s.— (1) The Advisory Board shall, after considering the
materials placed before it and, after calling for such further information as it may deem necessary from
the State Government or from any person called for the purpose through the State Government or from
the person concerned, and if, in any particular case, the Advisory Board considers it essential so to do
or if the person concerned desires to be heard, after hearing him in person, submit its report to the State
Government, within seven weeks from the date of detention of the person concerned.
(2) The report of the Advisory Board shall specify in a separate part thereof the opinion of the
Advisory Board as to whether or not there is sufficient cause for the detention of the person concerned.
(3) Whe n there is difference of opinion among the members forming the Advisory Board, the
opinion of the majority of such members shall be deemed to be the opinion of the Board.
(4) The proceedings of the Advisory Board and its report, excepting that part of the report in
which the opinion of the Advisory Board is specified, shall be confidential.
(5) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person against whom a detention order has been made
to appear by any legal practitioner in any matter connected with the reference to the Advisory Board.
12. Action upon report of Advisory Board. — (1) In any case where the Advisory Board has
reported that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the detention of a person, the State
Government may confirm the detention order and continue the detention of the person concerned for
such period, not exceeding the maximum period prescribed by section 13, as it thinks fit.
(2) In any case where the Advisory Board has reported that there is, in its opinion, no sufficient
cause for the detention of the person concerned, the State Government shall revoke the detention order
and cause the person to be released forthwith.
1981 : Mah. LV] The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous 11
Activities Act, 1981
13. Maximum period of detention. — The maximum period for which any person may be
detained, in pursuance of a ny detention order made under this Act which has been confirmed under
section 12, shall be 1[twelve months] from the date of detention.
14. Revocation of detention orders. — (1) Without prejudice to the p rovisions of section 21 of
the 2Bombay General Clauses Act, 1904, a detention order may, at any time, be revoked or modified by
the State Government, notwithstanding that the order has been made by an officer mentioned in
sub-section (2) of section 3.
(2) The revocation or expiry of a detention order shall not bar the making of a fresh detention
order under section 3 against the same person, in any case, where fresh facts have arisen after the date
of revocation or expiry, on which the State Government or an officer, as the case may be, is satisfied
that such an order should be made.
15. Temporary release of persons detained. — (1) The State Government may, at any time,
direct that any person detained in pursuance of a detention order may be released for any specified
period, either without conditions o r upon such conditions specified in the direction as that person
accepts, and may, at any time, cancel his release.
(2) In directing the release of any detenu under sub-section (1), the State Government may require
him to enter into a bond, with or withou t sureties, for the due observance of the conditions specified in
the direction.
(3) Any person released under sub-section (1) shall surrender himself at the time and place, and to
the authority, specified in the order directing his release or cancelling his release, as the case may be.
(4) If any person fails without sufficient cause to surrender himself in the manner specified in
sub-section (3), he shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
two years, or with fine, or with both.
(5) If any person released under sub -section (1) fails to fulfil any of the conditions imposed upon
him under the said sub -section or in the bond entered into by him, the bond shall be declared to be
forfeited and any person bound thereby shall be liable to pay the penalty thereof.
16. Protection of action taken in good faith. — No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding
shall lie against the State Government or any officer or person, for anything in good faith done or
intended to be done in pursuance of this Act.
3[17. Detention orders against any slumlord, bootlegger or drug -offender or dangerous
persons to be made under this Act and not under National Security Act. — No order of detention
under the National Security Act, 1980 (LXV of 1980), shall be made by the State Government or any
of its officer under that Act,—
(a) on and after the commencement of this Act, in respect of any slumlord, bootlegger or drug -
offender ; 4[* * *].
(b) on and after the commencement of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of
Slumlords, Bootleggers and Drug -offenders (Amendment) Act, 1996 (XXIX of 1996) , in respect of
any dangerous person, on the ground of preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the
maintenance of public or der, where an order of detention may be or can be made against such person
under this Act ;] 5[and]
6[(c) on and after the commencement of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of
Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders and Dangerous persons (Amendment) Act, 2009 (Mah. XXIV
of 2009), in respect of any video pirate,] 1[and]
1 These words were substituted for the words “six months” by Mah. 24 of 1988, s. 3.
2 The short title of this Act was amended as “the Maharashtra General Clauses Act” by Mah. 24 of 2012, S ch. entry 11,
w.e.f. 1.5.1960.
3 Section 17 was substituted by Mah. 29 of 1996, s. 5.
4 The word “and” was deleted by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 5(a).
5 The word “and” was deleted by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 5(i).
6 Clause (c) was added by Mah. 24 of 2009, s. 5(c).
12 The Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous [1981 : Mah. LV
Activities Act, 1981
2[(d) on and after the com mencement of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of
Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons and video pirates (Amendment) Act, 2015
(Mah. V of 2016), in respect of any sand smugglers.]
3[17A. Detention order against any p erson engaged in black -marketing of essential
commodities to be made under this Act and not under Prevention of Black -marketing and
Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980. — No order of detention shall be
made by the State Government or any of its officer under the Prevention of Black -marketing and
Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 (7 of 1980) on or after the
commencement of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers,
Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons and video pirates (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Mah. V of 2016) in
respect of any person engaged in black-marketing of essential commodities.]
18. Repeal of Mah. Ord. III of 1981 and saving. — (1) The Maharashtra Prevention of
Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers and Drug-offenders Ordinance, 1981 (Mah. Ord. III of
1981), is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken (including any order made)
under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done, taken or made, as the case may be, under
the corresponding provisions of this Act.
1 This word was added by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 5(ii).
2 Clause (d) was added by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 5(iii).
3 Section 17A was inserted by Mah. 5 of 2016, s. 6.