S.Karthika v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by Secretary to Government

2026:MHC:1623 Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 28-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN S.Karthika W/o. Alex, No.3/364, Patti Road, Vizhunthamavadi, Kilvelur Taluk, Nagapattinam-611112. ..Petitioner in HCP.No.23 of 2026 Annamayil W/o. Muthaiya, Posanthapuram, Kombai Thozhu, Kadamalikundu, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District 625579. ..Petitioner in HCP.No.2591 of 2025 Vs

¶1The State of Tamil Nadu rep by Secretary to Government Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600009.

¶2The District Magistrate and District Collector Nagapattinam District, Nangapattinam.

¶3The Superintendent of Police Nagapattinam.

¶4The Superintendent of Prison Page2 of 7 Central Prison, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

¶5The Inspector of Police Velankanni Police Station, Nagapatiinam District. ..Respondent(s) in both HCP's Prayer in HCP.No.23 of 2026: Habeas corpus petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus or any other appropriate Writ, or order, or direction, in the nature of the writ to call for the records relating to the detention order dated 13.08.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent herein in his proceedings C.O.C.No.24/2025 under the Taminadu Act 14 of 1982 and to quash the same and direct the respondents herein to produce petitioner's brother namely Saranraj, S/o. Selvaraj aged 22 years now under detention as Goondas in Central Prison, Cuddalore, Cuddalore District before this Court and set him at liberty forwith and pass such any other orders as this Court. Prayer in HCP.No.2591 of 2025: Habeas corpus petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ, or order or Direction Particularly in the nature of Habeas Corpus to call for the records in C.O.C.No.25 of 2025 dated 13.08.2025 on the file of the second respondent herein and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to produce the detenu Dhinesh S/o. Muthaiya. aged 33 Years, Who now confined at Central Prison, Cuddalore before this Honble Court an dset at him liberty and pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render Justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Angamuthu for Mr.S.Jayaprakash (in HCP.No.23 of 2026) Page3 of 7 Mr.G.Anbuchezheiyan (in HCP.No.2591 of 2025) For Respondent(s): Mr. R. Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor Assisted By Mr. M. Sylvester John (in both HCP's) COMMON ORDER (PER BENCH) In both HCPs, the sister of the detenus –Saranraj, S/o. Selvaraj (HCP.No.23 of 2026), Dhinesh, S/o. Muthaiya (HCP.No.2591 of 2025), both branded as Drug Offender and confined in Central Prison, Cuddalore, under detention orders dated 13.08.2025, have challenged the orders of detention in these HCPs. Both the detenus are co-accused in Crime No.276 of 2025 and they have been found in possession of 160 Kgs of ganga, which is a commercial quantity.

¶2Mr.S.Angamuthu, learned counsel appearing for Mr.S.Jayaprakash, learned counsel on record for the petitioner in HCP No.23 of 2026 and Mr.G.Anbuchezheiyan, learned counsel for the petitioner in HCP No.2591 of 2025 would submit that the detenus have been arrested on 19.07.2025, whereas the orders of detention have been passed on 13.08.2025. Hence, invoking the ratio the judgment in Sushanta Kumar Banik Vs. State of Tripura (2022 LiveLaw (SC) 813), there is no proximate link between the cause of arrest and the detention.

¶3That apart, they would submit that they have not moved bail Page4 of 7 application at all and hence the statement of the detaining authority to the effect that their relatives are taking steps to enlarge them on bail has absolutely no basis.

¶4Learned Additional Public Prosecutor, for his part, would urge that there is no merit in the HCPs, since the quantity of the ganja carried by them is so huge.

¶5We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondents and have also perused the material papers.

¶6Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) provides for a check and balance in the grant of bail to those individuals accused of offences involving commercial quantity of ganja.

¶7In the present case, the quantity of ganja involved is 160 Kgs., which is a commercial quantity. Hence, in all probability and invoking the object of Section 37 of the NDPS Act, grant of bail to the detenus in regular course is not probable. This would allay the apprehension of the learned Additional Public Prosecutor. That apart, we find that there is a delay of nearly a month between the date of arrest and the date of detention.

¶8Coming to the question of detenus being enlarged on bail, quite apart from what we have noticed in paragraphs above, we have also find that they have not moved any bail application at all. Hence, in these circumstances, the question of granting bail becomes illusory. Page5 of 7

¶9The detaining authority has referred to the statement recorded from the relatives of the detenus. However, a careful perusal of the booklets do not reveal any such statements at all. Hence, there is no merit in the aforesaid statement of the detaining authority.

¶10Most importantly, we find that the detaining authority has relied upon an order passed by the Additional District Judge, Special court in Crl.M.P.No.202 of 2018 dated 11.09.2018 granting bail to another accused. That order is placed in the booklet and we find from the perusal of the same, that that accused was carrying 1.100 Kgs. of ganja, whereas in the present case, the quantity is 160 Kgs. of ganja.

¶11Hence, the circumstances in which the bail was granted in that case and the facts and circumstances that arises in the present case are entirely different, both on facts as well as legal ramifications thereof.

¶12In such circumstances, we are of the considered view that there is no merit whatsoever in the subjective satisfaction expressed by the detaining authority that the detenus will be enlarged on bail quite apart from other errors that we have noted and narrated in the paragraphs supra.

¶13Hence, these Habeas Corpus Petitions are allowed and the Detention Orders passed by the second respondent in C.O.C.Nos.24/2025 and 25/2025 both dated 13.08.2025 are set aside.

¶14The detenus, viz., Saranraj, S/o.Selvaraj, male aged 22 years, and Dhinesh, S/o.Muthiaya, male aged 33 years, who are now confined in Central Page6 of 7 Prison, Cuddalore, are directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless their presence is required in connection with any other case. (A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 28-04-2026 sl Index: Yes/No Speaking order Note to Registry: Issue Today To

¶1The State of Tamil Nadu rep by Secretary to Government Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009.

¶2The District Magistrate and District Collector Nagapattinam District, Nangapattinam.

¶3The Superintendent of Police Nagapattinam.

¶4The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

¶5The Inspector of Police Velankanni Police Station, Nagapatiinam District.

¶6The Public Prosecutor (Puducherry), High Court of Madras.

¶7The Joint Secretary to Government, Public (Law and Order), Secretariat, Fort.St.George, Chennai -9. Page7 of 7 DR.ANITA SUMANTH J. AND SUNDER MOHAN J. sl 28-04-2026