Palaniyammal v. The Secretary to the Government,

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by Sunder Mohan J.) The mother of the detenu – K.Shanmugavel, branded as 'Goonda' under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982, has filed this petition challenging the detention order dated 29.08.2025.

2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondents.

¶3We find on perusal of the record and on hearing the submissions on either side, the impugned order cannot be sustained on the sole ground that the special report sent by the sponsoring authority is undated. The compelling necessity to detain the detenu would depend on the date on which the sponsoring authority has sent his report. In the absence of the said date, the special report would become irrelevant and the compelling necessity to detain the detenu becomes doubtful. Page3 of 5

¶4Further in 'Rekha Vs. State of Tamil Nadu through Secretary to Government and another' reported in '2011 [5] SCC 244', the Hon'ble Supreme Court had held that where the detention order is passed on any irrelevant material, then, the detention order is liable to be quashed. Therefore, we are of the view that for the aforesaid reasons the impugned detention order is liable to be set aside.

5.Accordingly, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in Detention Order BBCDEFGISSSV No.107/2025 dated 29.08.2025 is set aside.

6.The detenu, viz., K.Shanmugavel, S/o.Kathavarayan, aged 24 years, who is now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai is directed to be set at liberty forthwith, unless his presence is required in connection, with any other case. (A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 28-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order TSG Issue Order today. Page4 of 5 To

¶1The Secretary to the Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

¶2The Commissioner of Police, Tambaram City.

¶3The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai - 66.

¶4The Inspector of Police T-7, Otteri Police Station, Tambaram City.

¶5The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

¶6The Joint Secretary to Government, Public (Law and Order), Secretariat, Fort.St. George, Chennai – 9. HCPoNo.o1933oofo2025 DR.ANITAoSUMANTH,oJ. AND SUNDERoMOHAN,oJ. TSG HCPoNo.o1933oofo2025 28-04-2026 Page5oofo5

2026:MHC:1631 Page1 of 5 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 Palaniyammal ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to the Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2. The Commissioner of Police, Tambaram City. 3. The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai - 66. 4. The Inspector of Police T-7, Otteri Police Station, Tambaram City. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Habeas Corpus, to call for the records in connection with the order of Detention passed by the second respondent 29.08.2025 in BBCDEFGISSSV.No.107/2025 against the petitioner's son K.Shanmugavel, Male aged 24 Years S/o.Kathavarayan, who is confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai - 66, and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenu before the Court and set him at Liberty. Page2 of 5 For Petitioner(s): Mr.D.Balaji For Respondent(s): Mr. R.Muniyapparaj, Additional Public Prosecutor, Assisted By Mr. M.Sylvester John