The Madras High Court criticized the Tamil Nadu government's frequent use of preventive detention laws, deeming them 'draconian' and warning against their misuse to silence dissent or circumvent criminal law. The court ordered departmental action against officials improperly invoking the Goondas Act and granted bail to a journalist detained under the act, citing insufficient grounds. It highlighted a concerning trend of mechanical application of the law, potentially leading to prolonged incarceration and violating fundamental rights.