Total Count

Subscribe Us

What is Article 390 of indian constitution

 

What is Article 390 of indian constitution

📜 Article 390 of the Indian Constitution

Title: Power of the President to make orders with respect to persons under preventive detention in certain cases


❗️Status:

Article 390 has been repealed.
It was a transitional and temporary provision, omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.


🧾 Original Purpose (Before Repeal):

  • Article 390 empowered the President of India to make special orders regarding preventive detention cases during the transition period after the Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950.

  • It allowed continuation or modification of preventive detention laws and procedures from the pre-Constitution era, especially in Part B and C States, until proper laws were enacted under the Constitution.


🔍 Simplified Explanation:

  • When the Constitution came into force, many existing detention laws (from British India and princely states) were still in place.

  • Article 390:

    • Allowed the President to validate or modify such detention orders.

    • Applied particularly in Part B and C States, where legislative and judicial systems were in transition.

    • Ensured that preventive detention could continue legally under the new constitutional framework.


📌 Key Features:

Aspect Details
Applies To Part B and Part C States, especially where detention laws existed before 1950
Subject Preventive detention orders
Powers Given To President of India
Purpose To allow continued legal detention during transition
Related Constitutional Area Article 22 (which regulates preventive detention rights)
Repealed By 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956

🗂️ Related Laws/Articles:

  • Article 22 of the Constitution: Provides protections to persons under preventive detention.

  • Preventive detention laws in force included:

    • Preventive Detention Act, 1950

    • State-specific laws from princely states or British laws adapted for use.


Why Article 390 Was Important (and Then Repealed):

  • Prevented legal loopholes in handling national security and public order cases.

  • Allowed smooth legal transition of sensitive laws into the new system.

  • Repealed when:

    • India had a standardized preventive detention framework under Article 22 and central laws.

    • All states were brought under the uniform legal structure post-1956.