Mariyamma v. The Secretary to Government

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by Sunder Mohan J.) The mother of the detenu – Senthil Murugan, has filed this petition challenging the detention order dated 17.09.2025, branding him as a 'Goonda' under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982 (Act 14/1982).

¶2We have heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for 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 reason 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 BBCDEFGISSSV No.117/2025 dated 17.09.2025 is set aside.

6.The detenu, viz., J.Senthil Murugan, S/o. Jayamoorthi, aged 31 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.) 29-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ars Note to Registry : Issue Today To

¶1The Secretary to Government Home) Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

¶2The Commissioner of Police Tambaram City.

¶3The Superintendent Of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.

¶4The Inspector of Police T-9, Maraimalai Nagar Police Station, Tambaram City.

¶5The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

¶6The Joint Secretary to Government, Public (Law and Order), Secretariat, Fort.St.George, Chennai -9. HCPoNo.o2106oofo2025 DR.ANITAoSUMANTHoJ. AND SUNDERoMOHANoJ. ars HCPoNo.o2106oofo2025 29-04-2026 Pageo5oofo5

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Mariyamma ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to Government Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009. 2. The Commissioner of Police Tambaram City. 3. The Superintendent Of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai. 4. The Inspector of Police T-9, Maraimalai Nagar Police Station, Tambaram City. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus or any other Writ or order in the nature of Writ, call for the records in connection with the order of Detention passed by the second respondent 17.09.2025 in BBCDEFGISSSV No.117/2025 against the petitioner's son Senthil Murugan, Male aged 31 years S/o. Jayamoorthi who is confined at Central Prison, Puzhal and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenue before this Court and set him at Liberty. For Petitioner(s): Ms.J.K.Madhumathi for Mr.D.Balaji For Respondent(s): Mr. R. Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor Assisted By Mr. M. Sylvester John