Sakthivel v. The Principal Chief Secretary to Government

ORDER [Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH, J.] The petitioner is the detenu viz., Sakthivel, S/o.Marikkani, aged about 24 years. The detenu has been detained by the second respondent by order in Crl.M.P.No.47 of 2022 dated 28.11.2022, holding him to be a 'Goonda', as contemplated under Section 2(f) of Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982. The said order is under challenge in this Habeas Corpus Petition.

¶2We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. We have also perused the records produced by the Detaining Authority.

¶3Among other grounds, the detention order is mainly attacked on the ground that there is a delay in passing the order of detention. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner strongly contended that though the detenu was arrested on 18.10.2022, the detention order was passed only on

28.11.2022 i.e., after a considerable delay of more than forty days. Therefore, the detention order has to be set aside.

¶4Though counter has not been filed, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor strongly opposed this petition.

¶5As seen from the grounds of detention, it is clear that though the detenu was arrested on 18.10.2022, the order of detention came to be passed only on 28.11.2022 and hence, there is an abnormal delay in passing the order of Detention, which caused prejudice to the interest of the detenu.

¶6We have gone through the entire materials placed on record. There is no satisfactory explanation offered by the Detaining Authority for the delay in passing the order of detention. Hence the impugned order of detention is liable to be set aside.

¶7In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in Crl.M.P.No.47 of 2022 dated 28.11.2022, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu, viz., Sakthivel, S/o.Marikkani, aged about 24 years, is directed to be released forthwith unless his detention is required in connection with any other case. (M.S.R., J.) (M.N.K., J.)

21.07.2023 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order mbi To

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

2.The District Magistrate and District Collector, Office of the District Magistrate and District Collector, Virudhunagar.

3.The Superintendent of Prison, Madurai Central Prison, Madurai District.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

5.The Joint Secretary, Public (Law and Order) Department, Fort St.George, Chennai. H.C.P(MD)No.158oofo2023 M.S.RAMESH,oJ. and M.NIRMALoKUMAR,oJ. mbi H.C.P(MD)No.158oofo2023

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.07.2023 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Sakthivel .. Petitioner vs. 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The District Magistrate and District Collector, Office of the District Magistrate and District Collector, Virudhunagar. 3.The Superintendent of Prison, Madurai Central Prison, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of habeas corpus calling for the entire records connected with the detention order of the second respondent in Crl.M.P.No.47 of 2022 dated 28.11.2022 and quash the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenu or body of the detenu namely Sakthivel, S/o.Marikkani, aged about 24 years, detained as 'Goonda' in Central Prison, Madurai before this Court and set him at liberty forthwith. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar, Additional Public Prosecutor