Can the continued confinement of an accused in a municipal commissioner lock up without magistrate production for more than twenty four hours be remedied by a habeas corpus petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court?

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Suppose a person is taken into custody by the local police after an FIR is lodged alleging that the individual participated in a violent protest that resulted in damage to public property, and the investigating agency subsequently transfers the detainee to the custody of the municipal commissioner for questioning on a regulatory violation, without producing the detainee before a magistrate within the twenty‑four‑hour period prescribed by Article 22(2) of the Constitution.

The accused maintains that the allegations are unfounded and that the protest was peaceful, but the immediate procedural difficulty is that the detention continues beyond the statutory limit, and the accused remains in the commissioner’s lock‑up. The complainant, a municipal official, insists that the detention is necessary to secure documents related to the alleged violation, yet the law requires judicial oversight before any further deprivation of liberty. At this juncture, a simple factual defence before the investigating agency cannot cure the breach of constitutional protection, because the violation concerns the very legality of the detention itself, not the merits of the underlying allegations.

Recognizing that the detention is unlawful, the accused seeks immediate relief. The appropriate constitutional remedy is a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which challenges the legality of the custody and compels the authorities to either produce the detainee before a magistrate or release the person. Since the matter arises in the jurisdiction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the petition must be filed there under the court’s original jurisdiction to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The accused engages a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court who drafts the petition, outlining the factual chronology, the failure to comply with Article 22(2), and the consequent violation of the right to personal liberty. The petition specifically requests that the High Court issue a direction for the immediate production of the detainee before a magistrate, or alternatively, order the release of the accused from the municipal commissioner’s custody. The filing also seeks an interim order to prevent any further transfer or concealment of the detainee while the writ is pending.

In parallel, the complainant’s counsel, a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court, argues that the detention is justified on grounds of public safety and the need to preserve evidence. However, the counsel acknowledges that the procedural safeguard of judicial supervision cannot be bypassed, and therefore the argument pivots to requesting that the High Court limit the scope of the detention rather than dismiss the writ altogether. This strategic positioning underscores why the ordinary defence of the merits of the allegations is insufficient; the core issue is the procedural illegality of the detention itself.

The petition is presented before a bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and the judges note that the case falls squarely within the ambit of a habeas corpus proceeding. The court’s jurisdiction to entertain such a writ is well‑established, and the judges emphasize that the constitutional guarantee under Article 22(2) is peremptory, leaving no room for administrative discretion to extend detention without magistrate approval. Consequently, the court is poised to examine whether the statutory condition of production before a magistrate has been satisfied.

During the hearing, the prosecution, represented by a team of lawyers in Chandigarh High Court, concedes that the detainee was not produced before a magistrate within the stipulated period. The prosecution further admits that the detention continued in the commissioner’s lock‑up for several days, thereby breaching the constitutional safeguard. This admission eliminates any factual dispute regarding the procedural lapse, focusing the court’s analysis on the appropriate remedy.

The defence, through a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court, stresses that the detainee’s continued confinement not only infringes the personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution but also undermines the rule of law, as the investigating agency has effectively usurped judicial authority. The counsel points out that the detainee’s right to be produced before a magistrate is a condition precedent to any further investigative steps, and that any evidence obtained thereafter may be tainted by the illegality of the detention.

Given the clear violation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court proceeds to grant the relief sought in the writ petition. The court orders the immediate release of the detainee and directs the municipal commissioner to produce the individual before the nearest magistrate within twenty‑four hours of the order. Additionally, the court issues a directive that any future detention of the accused for related investigations must strictly adhere to the procedural requirements of Article 22(2), thereby preventing recurrence of the same constitutional breach.

The judgment also contains an advisory component, urging the investigating agency and municipal authorities to review their detention protocols to ensure compliance with constitutional safeguards. The court’s decision underscores that while substantive defences to the underlying allegations may be raised later in criminal proceedings, the procedural right to prompt judicial oversight is paramount and must be respected at the earliest stage of detention.

In the aftermath, the accused’s counsel, a member of the lawyers in Punjab and Haryana High Court, files a compliance report confirming that the detainee has been released and that the authorities have instituted a new standard operating procedure for producing arrested persons before a magistrate within the mandated timeframe. This procedural reform illustrates how a writ of habeas corpus not only provides immediate relief but also catalyzes systemic change in law‑enforcement practices.

Thus, the fictional scenario mirrors the essential legal contours of the analyzed judgment: an unlawful detention without magistrate authority, a constitutional violation of Article 22(2), and the appropriate remedy of a habeas corpus petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The case demonstrates why ordinary factual defences are inadequate when the very legality of the detention is in question, and why the High Court’s writ jurisdiction offers the precise procedural vehicle to safeguard personal liberty.

Question: Does the continued detention of the accused in the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up, without being produced before a magistrate within the twenty‑four‑hour period prescribed by Article 22(2), constitute a breach of the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty, and what specific constitutional remedy is available to the accused?

Answer: The factual matrix shows that the accused was arrested on the basis of an FIR alleging participation in a violent protest and was subsequently handed over to the municipal commissioner for questioning on a regulatory matter. The investigating agency failed to present the accused before a magistrate within the twenty‑four‑hour window mandated by Article 22(2) of the Constitution, and the detention continued for several days in the commissioner’s lock‑up. This omission directly contravenes the peremptory requirement that any person deprived of liberty must be produced before a magistrate promptly, a safeguard designed to prevent arbitrary detention. The legal problem therefore centers on the illegality of the detention itself, not on the merits of the protest allegations. The appropriate constitutional remedy is a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which can be filed under Article 226 of the Constitution in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court would draft the petition, setting out the chronology, the breach of Article 22(2), and the consequent violation of the accused’s fundamental right to personal liberty. The writ seeks an order directing the authorities either to produce the accused before a magistrate within a stipulated period or to release him immediately. The practical implication for the accused is the prospect of immediate liberty and the prevention of further unlawful interrogation. For the complainant and the investigating agency, the writ forces compliance with constitutional safeguards and curtails any attempt to sidestep judicial oversight. The High Court’s jurisdiction to entertain such a writ ensures that the constitutional guarantee is enforceable at the earliest stage of detention, thereby upholding the rule of law.

Question: What procedural steps must the accused follow to file a habeas corpus petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and what interim relief can be sought while the petition is pending?

Answer: The procedural pathway begins with the accused engaging a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court to prepare a petition under Article 226, which requires a concise statement of facts, the specific constitutional breach, and the relief sought. The petition must be filed in the original jurisdiction of the High Court, accompanied by an affidavit affirming the truth of the allegations and any supporting documents such as the FIR, custody records, and medical reports. After filing, the court issues a notice to the respondents, which include the municipal commissioner, the investigating agency, and any other officials implicated. The petition is then listed for a preliminary hearing where the court examines whether the writ is maintainable. During this stage, the accused can request interim relief in the form of an interim order for the release of the detainee or a direction that the accused be produced before the nearest magistrate within twenty‑four hours of the order. Such interim relief is crucial because it prevents continued unlawful confinement while the substantive issues are adjudicated. A lawyer in Chandigarh High Court, representing the complainant, may oppose the interim order, arguing the necessity of the detention for evidence preservation, but the court must balance this against the constitutional mandate of prompt judicial supervision. The practical implication of securing interim relief is that the accused regains freedom pending the final decision, thereby mitigating the risk of further rights violations. For the prosecution, the interim order compels compliance with procedural safeguards and may limit their investigative options, prompting them to seek alternative lawful means of evidence collection. The High Court’s power to grant such interim relief underscores its role as a guardian of fundamental rights during the pendency of writ proceedings.

Question: How does the prosecution’s admission that the accused was not produced before a magistrate within the prescribed period affect the burden of proof and the likely outcome of the habeas corpus petition?

Answer: The prosecution’s concession that the accused was not presented before a magistrate within the twenty‑four‑hour window eliminates any factual dispute regarding the procedural breach. In habeas corpus proceedings, the burden of proof rests on the respondents to demonstrate that the detention complies with constitutional requirements. By admitting the failure to satisfy Article 22(2), the prosecution effectively shoulders the burden and cannot rely on any substantive defence related to the protest allegations. Consequently, the court’s analysis narrows to a pure question of legality: whether the detention, absent magistrate authority, is unlawful. A lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court representing the accused will emphasize that the admission renders the detention per se illegal, irrespective of any pending criminal investigation. The court, guided by the principle that constitutional safeguards are peremptory, is likely to grant the writ and order immediate release. The practical implication for the prosecution is that any evidence obtained during the unlawful detention may be tainted and inadmissible, and the agency may face scrutiny for procedural lapses. For the complainant, the admission weakens the position that the detention was justified on grounds of public safety, compelling a reassessment of investigative tactics. The High Court’s decision, informed by the prosecution’s own admission, will likely set a precedent reinforcing the inviolability of the twenty‑four‑hour rule and may result in directives for systemic reforms within the investigating agency to prevent recurrence. Thus, the admission dramatically tilts the balance in favour of the accused, making the outcome of the habeas corpus petition almost foregone.

Question: What are the potential consequences for the municipal commissioner and the investigating agency if the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders the immediate release of the accused and issues directives to ensure future compliance with Article 22(2)?

Answer: An order for immediate release directly impacts the municipal commissioner, who will be required to surrender the accused to the nearest magistrate within the stipulated twenty‑four‑hour period, thereby terminating the unlawful detention. The High Court may also impose a directive that any future custodial action by the commissioner’s office must be preceded by a written order from a magistrate, effectively curbing discretionary power to detain individuals without judicial oversight. For the investigating agency, the court’s judgment will likely entail a mandatory review of its detention protocols, possibly mandating the adoption of standard operating procedures that embed the constitutional requirement of prompt magistrate production. A lawyer in Chandigarh High Court representing the agency may be instructed to file a compliance report, demonstrating steps taken to align with the court’s directives, such as training of officers and revision of custody logs. Failure to adhere could expose the officials to contempt proceedings, disciplinary action, or civil liability for unlawful detention. Practically, the agencies will need to restructure their interrogation processes, ensuring that any regulatory or evidentiary inquiries are conducted after the accused has been lawfully presented before a magistrate, thereby preserving the admissibility of any subsequent evidence. The High Court’s order also serves as a deterrent against future breaches, reinforcing the principle that constitutional safeguards cannot be overridden by administrative convenience. Moreover, the judgment may prompt legislative scrutiny, leading to amendments in detention statutes to clarify the role of municipal authorities. Overall, the consequences encompass immediate operational changes, potential accountability measures for officials, and a broader reinforcement of constitutional jurisprudence within law‑enforcement practices.

Question: On what legal basis does the Punjab and Haryana High Court have the authority to entertain a writ of habeas corpus challenging the continued detention of the accused in the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up?

Answer: The Punjab and Haryana High Court derives its authority to entertain the petition from the constitutional power vested in every High Court to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights under Article 226 of the Constitution. The writ of habeas corpus is the appropriate remedy when a person’s personal liberty is infringed without the requisite judicial oversight, and the High Court’s original jurisdiction extends to any person within its territorial limits. In the present facts, the accused was arrested by the local police of a district that falls within the jurisdiction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and subsequently transferred to the municipal commissioner’s custody, which is also situated within the same territorial ambit. Because the alleged breach of Article 22(2) – the failure to produce the detainee before a magistrate within twenty‑four hours – occurred entirely within the High Court’s territorial jurisdiction, the court is the proper forum to examine the legality of the detention. Moreover, the High Court’s power to issue a writ of habeas corpus is not confined to criminal trials; it can be invoked at any stage where liberty is at stake, even before the commencement of substantive criminal proceedings. The petition therefore seeks a declaration that the detention is unlawful and an order for the immediate release or production before a magistrate. The involvement of a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court is essential to frame the petition in compliance with the procedural requisites of the writ jurisdiction, to articulate the constitutional breach, and to request interim relief such as a direction to halt any further transfer of the accused. The counsel will also rely on precedents where the High Court has emphasized the peremptory nature of the twenty‑four‑hour rule, reinforcing that the remedy lies squarely within its writ jurisdiction. Consequently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is the appropriate venue to address the constitutional violation and to grant the relief sought.

Question: Why might the accused consider retaining a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court even though the primary writ petition is filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court?

Answer: Retaining a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court can be strategically advantageous for several reasons that complement the primary filing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. First, the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up and the local police station where the accused was initially detained are physically located in Chandigarh, making the local court the forum for any ancillary applications such as bail, interim protection, or production orders that may arise during the pendency of the writ. A lawyer in Chandigarh High Court is familiar with the procedural nuances of the district magistrate’s court, the police station’s register, and the local rules governing interim applications, thereby ensuring that any urgent relief sought at the trial‑court level is promptly and effectively presented. Second, the prosecution may file counter‑applications or objections in the Chandigarh courts, and having a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court enables coordinated representation across both jurisdictions, preventing procedural delays that could arise from jurisdictional mismatches. Third, the accused may need to challenge the legality of the municipal commissioner’s custody before the local magistrate, a matter that falls under the purview of the district court rather than the High Court. A lawyer in Chandigarh High Court can file a petition for immediate production before the magistrate, thereby reinforcing the High Court’s writ relief with parallel orders at the lower level. This dual representation also facilitates the filing of compliance reports and ensures that the High Court’s interim orders are implemented on the ground without resistance. The counsel in Chandigarh will work in concert with the lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court to synchronize arguments, share evidence, and present a unified front, thereby maximizing the chances of securing both immediate release and procedural safeguards. Hence, engaging a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court is a pragmatic step to address the multi‑forum nature of the relief sought.

Question: How does the procedural route unfold from the filing of the habeas corpus petition to the issuance of an interim order, and what specific interim relief can be pursued at the High Court stage?

Answer: The procedural trajectory commences with the preparation and filing of the writ petition by a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court, who must ensure that the petition complies with the High Court’s rules on format, jurisdictional statement, and annexures such as the FIR, custody records, and affidavits. Upon filing, the court issues a notice to the respondents – the municipal commissioner, the police, and the prosecution – and may also direct the custodial authority to produce the accused before the court on a specified date. At this juncture, the petitioner can move for interim relief to prevent any further deterioration of the accused’s liberty. Typical interim orders include a direction for the immediate release of the detainee, a stay on any further transfer to another authority, and an injunction restraining the municipal commissioner from concealing or destroying evidence. The petition may also request that the court issue a direction to the nearest magistrate to produce the accused within twenty‑four hours of the order, thereby reinforcing the constitutional requirement. The High Court, after hearing arguments from both sides, can grant a temporary writ of habeas corpus, ordering the custodial authority to present the accused before the magistrate or to release him pending final disposal of the petition. The involvement of lawyers in Chandigarh High Court becomes relevant if the court directs that the production be effected before a local magistrate; the local counsel will then ensure compliance on the ground. Additionally, the petitioner may seek a direction for the preservation of documents and electronic records related to the protest, preventing tampering while the writ is pending. The court’s interim order is binding and enforceable, and failure to comply can lead to contempt proceedings. Throughout this process, the coordination between the lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court and the lawyers in Chandigarh High Court is crucial to secure swift and effective interim relief, thereby safeguarding the accused’s personal liberty while the substantive issues are adjudicated.

Question: Why is a purely factual defence concerning the alleged participation in the protest insufficient at this stage of the proceedings?

Answer: A factual defence that the protest was peaceful and that the accused did not engage in any violent act addresses the substantive merits of the criminal allegations but does not remedy the procedural violation that underpins the present petition. The core issue before the Punjab and Haryana High Court is the breach of the constitutional guarantee under Article 22(2), which mandates that no person be detained beyond twenty‑four hours without the authority of a magistrate. This procedural safeguard is peremptory and operates independently of the truth or falsity of the underlying accusations. Because the detention continued in the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up without judicial oversight, the legality of the custody itself is called into question, rendering any subsequent factual defence moot until the procedural defect is cured. Moreover, the High Court’s jurisdiction to issue a writ of habeas corpus is triggered solely by the violation of personal liberty, not by the evidentiary merits of the protest. The accused must first secure a declaration that the detention is unlawful and obtain release or production before a magistrate; only thereafter can the prosecution proceed to examine the factual allegations in a regular criminal trial. Relying solely on a factual defence at this stage would ignore the constitutional breach and could result in the continuation of an illegal detention, exposing the state to liability for contempt of court and violation of fundamental rights. The involvement of a lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court is essential to articulate this procedural argument, while lawyers in Chandigarh High Court can ensure that any local procedural steps, such as production before a magistrate, are complied with. Consequently, the factual defence is ancillary until the High Court addresses the procedural illegality, after which the substantive defence can be raised in the appropriate criminal proceeding.

Question: How does the procedural defect of failing to produce the accused before a magistrate within the twenty‑four‑hour period affect the risk of continued unlawful detention and what immediate relief should the defence prioritize?

Answer: The factual matrix shows that the accused was taken into police custody after an FIR alleging participation in a violent protest, then transferred to the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up without judicial oversight. The legal problem centers on the breach of the constitutional guarantee that no person shall be detained beyond twenty‑four hours without the authority of a magistrate. This breach creates a direct risk that the detention is unlawful, rendering any subsequent investigative steps vulnerable to challenge and exposing the authorities to liability for contempt of constitutional rights. Procedurally, the failure to produce the accused before a magistrate nullifies the legality of the detention, meaning that any further confinement, interrogation, or evidence collection is tainted. The practical implication for the accused is that continued custody not only infringes personal liberty but also jeopardizes the admissibility of any statements or material obtained thereafter. Consequently, the defence must prioritize filing a writ of habeas corpus in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to compel immediate production before a magistrate or secure release. A lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court will draft the petition, detailing the chronology, the specific breach of the constitutional provision, and requesting an interim order preventing any further transfer or concealment of the accused. By securing a swift judicial directive, the defence mitigates the risk of prolonged unlawful detention, preserves the integrity of any future defence, and forces the investigating agency to adhere to constitutional safeguards before proceeding with any substantive inquiry.

Question: What documentary and evidentiary materials should the defence gather to substantiate the writ petition and to challenge the legality of the detention?

Answer: The defence must assemble a comprehensive documentary record that demonstrates the timeline of arrest, transfer, and continued custody. Essential documents include the original FIR, the arrest memo, the custody register maintained by the police, the transfer order to the municipal commissioner, and any lock‑up logs indicating dates and times of confinement. Additionally, the defence should obtain medical examination reports, if any, to establish the condition of the accused during detention, and any communication—such as emails or letters—between the police and the commissioner that reference the purpose of the transfer. Witness statements from individuals present at the time of arrest or those who observed the accused in the commissioner’s lock‑up can further corroborate the factual narrative. The defence should also request the production of the magistrate’s docket to confirm that no appearance was made within the prescribed period. Lawyers in Chandigarh High Court, when representing the prosecution, may rely on these same documents to argue procedural compliance; therefore, the defence’s thorough compilation preempts any claim of missing evidence. The legal problem is to demonstrate that the statutory condition precedent—magistrate production—was not satisfied, thereby rendering the detention illegal. Procedurally, the High Court will scrutinise the authenticity and chronology of these records to assess whether the constitutional breach occurred. Practically, a well‑documented petition strengthens the court’s confidence in granting relief, limits the prosecution’s ability to argue procedural regularity, and lays the groundwork for challenging any evidence gathered during the unlawful confinement as inadmissible in any subsequent criminal trial.

Question: In what ways can the defence argue that any statements or evidence obtained during the period of unlawful detention should be excluded from the trial, and what strategic advantages does this provide?

Answer: The defence can invoke the principle that evidence derived from a constitutional violation is inadmissible, contending that the accused’s statements were secured while he was unlawfully detained, lacking the safeguard of magistrate oversight. The factual context shows that the municipal commissioner’s lock‑up was used to question the accused after the breach of the twenty‑four‑hour rule. Legally, the problem is whether the taint of the illegal detention extends to any confessions, admissions, or documentary evidence obtained thereafter. Procedurally, the High Court’s writ decision can be leveraged to declare the detention void, thereby rendering any subsequent investigative acts null and void. The defence should file a pre‑trial application for exclusion of such evidence, citing the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty and the doctrine that courts will not condone evidence obtained through rights violations. Strategically, this approach serves multiple purposes: it weakens the prosecution’s case by removing potentially incriminating material, forces the prosecution to rely on independently gathered evidence, and underscores the seriousness of the procedural breach, which may influence the court’s attitude toward the overall prosecution. Moreover, by highlighting the exclusionary impact, the defence can argue for a more favourable bail or even dismissal of charges if the remaining evidence is insufficient. A lawyer in Punjab and Haryana High Court, familiar with precedent on exclusionary rules, can craft persuasive submissions that tie the illegality of the detention directly to the unreliability of the evidence, thereby protecting the accused’s right to a fair trial and preserving the integrity of the criminal justice process.

Question: What are the likely counter‑arguments that the prosecution, represented by lawyers in Chandigarh High Court, may raise regarding the necessity of the detention, and how can the defence neutralise those arguments?

Answer: The prosecution is likely to argue that the detention was essential to preserve public safety and to secure critical documents related to the alleged regulatory violation, contending that immediate questioning was required to prevent loss of evidence. They may also assert that the municipal commissioner acted within administrative powers to detain the accused for a limited purpose, and that any delay in producing the accused before a magistrate was inadvertent rather than intentional. The legal problem for the defence is to dismantle the claim that administrative necessity can override the constitutional mandate of prompt judicial oversight. Procedurally, the defence should emphasise that Article 22(2) is peremptory and admits no discretionary exception, regardless of the purported urgency. By presenting the documentary timeline, the defence can demonstrate that the accused remained in lock‑up for several days, far exceeding any reasonable period for evidence preservation. The defence can also highlight that the prosecution’s own admission of the breach undermines any claim of good faith. Strategically, the defence can propose alternative measures—such as a court‑ordered production of documents or a supervised interrogation—showing that the objectives can be achieved without infringing constitutional rights. By framing the prosecution’s argument as an overreach that jeopardises the rule of law, the defence not only seeks immediate release but also positions the court to issue a strong directive preventing future misuse of administrative detention. This approach diminishes the prosecution’s narrative of necessity and reinforces the primacy of judicial supervision, thereby safeguarding the accused’s liberty and preserving the integrity of the investigative process.

Question: After securing relief from unlawful detention, what subsequent steps should the defence take to protect the accused’s interests in any forthcoming criminal trial and to promote systemic reform?

Answer: Once the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders the release of the accused and directs compliance with the constitutional requirement, the defence must promptly file a compliance report confirming that the accused is no longer in custody and that the authorities have instituted a standard operating procedure for producing arrested persons before a magistrate within twenty‑four hours. This report not only satisfies the court’s directive but also creates a documented record that can be referenced in any future proceedings. Legally, the defence should move to suppress any evidence obtained during the period of unlawful detention, as previously discussed, and file a pre‑trial application for dismissal of charges if the prosecution’s case rests primarily on that tainted material. Practically, the defence should prepare a robust factual defence for the underlying allegations of participation in a violent protest, gathering independent witnesses, video footage, and expert testimony to counter the complainant’s claims. Additionally, the defence can seek a writ of mandamus or a revision petition, if necessary, to ensure that the newly issued procedural guidelines are adhered to by the police and municipal authorities, thereby preventing recurrence of the same constitutional breach. Coordinating with a lawyer in Chandigarh High Court may be advisable if the prosecution files an appeal against the writ order, ensuring a unified strategy across jurisdictions. By combining immediate remedial actions with long‑term advocacy for procedural compliance, the defence not only protects the accused’s immediate liberty but also contributes to systemic reform, reinforcing the constitutional safeguard of personal liberty and enhancing the credibility of criminal investigations in the region.