This is highlighted by incidents like repeated preventive detention of whistleblower 'Savukku' Shankar in Tamil Nadu and use of Goondas Act against journalists and opposition in Uttar Pradesh. This has been justified on the grounds of public safety and maintaining public order. This piece examines the use and abuse of preventive detention laws by states and inadequacy of judicial oversight. All of these safeguards are out of the picture under the preventive detention acts. The Supreme Court has also tried to narrow the scope of preventive detention by constructing a precise and simple definition of public order.