Historical Background of Preventive Detention Law The law of preventive detention has been now codified in a way in Art. 22 of the Constitution. We can trace the History of the law of preventive Detention in India to as early a date as 1793. The East India Company Act 1793 provided that “it shall and may be lawful for the governor of Port William aforesaid for the time being to issue his warrant under his hand and seal, directed to such peace officers and other persons as he shall think fit for securing and detaining in custody and person or persons suspected of carrying on mediately or immediately any illicit correspondence dangerous to the peace or safety of any of the British settlement or possession in India with any of the Princes, Rajas or Zamindars or any other person or persons having authority in India or with the commanders, Governors or Presidents of any factories established in East India, by an European Power or any correspondence contr ....