Mohanraj v. The Secretary to the Government

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by Sunder Mohan J.) The brother of the detenu – M.Hemkumar, 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.

¶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.106/2025 dated 29.08.2025 is set aside.

6.The detenu, viz., M.Hemkumar, S/o.Muthu, aged 25 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 Note: Issue order today TSG To

¶1The Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Dept., 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.

DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J. AND

SUNDER MOHAN, J. TSG 28-04-2026

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 Mohanraj ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Dept., 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, calling for the records in connection with the order of detention passed by the second respondent 29.08.2025 in BBCDEFGISSSV No.106/2025 against the petitioner's brother M.Hemkumar, Male aged 25 years S/o.Muthu, who is confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai -66 and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenue before the Court and set him at liberty. For Petitioner(s): D.Balaji For Respondent(s): Mr. R.Muniyapparaj, Additional Public Prosecutor, Assisted By Mr. M.Sylvester John