Robin @ Rabin v. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government

ORDER [Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH, J.] The petitioner is the detenu viz., Robin, S/o.Alangamani, aged about 43 years. The detenu has been detained by the second respondent by order in M.H.S.No.97/2022 dated 01.11.2022 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.

¶3Though several grounds have been raised in the Habeas Corpus Petition, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would mainly focus his argument on the ground that the detaining authority has relied upon the order passed in Crl.M.P.No.3711/2021 dated 24.06.2021 and came to the conclusion that in a similar case bail has been granted and that there is likelihood of the detenu released on bail. The learned counsel submitted that the detaining authority was aware of the fact that the detenu filed bail application in the ground case and the same was dismissed. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the order relied upon by the detaining authority is not similar and there is non-application of mind on the part of the detaining authority.

¶4The learned Additional Public Prosecutor would submit that on completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in S.C.No.182 of 2023 on the file of the Frast Track Court, Tenkasi and the same is pending disposal.

¶5On carefully going through the detention order, it is seen that, in the order that was relied upon by the detaining authority in Crl.M.P.No. 3711/2021 dated 24.06.2021, the accused therein was enlarged on bail taking into consideration the pandemic situation that was prevailing at that relevant point of time. However, at present, there is no pandemic situation. Hence, the order that was relied upon by the detaining authority cannot be considered to be an order passed in a similar case.

¶6In view of the above, the detention order suffers from non-application of mind and the same is liable to be interfered with by this Court.

¶7In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in M.H.S.No.97/2022 dated 01.11.2022 passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu, viz., Robin, S/o.Alangamani, aged about 43 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.)

19.07.2023 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order mbi To

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

2.The District Collector and District Magistrate, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Palayamkottai.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. H.C.P(MD)No.220oofo2023 M.S.RAMESH,oJ. and M.NIRMALoKUMAR,oJ. mbi H.C.P(MD)No.220oofo2023

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 19.07.2023 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Robin @ Rabin .. Petitioner vs. 1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The District Collector and District Magistrate, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Palayamkottai. ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of habeas corpus calling for the records in pursuant to the proceedings of the second respondent in Detention Order in M.H.S.No. 97/2022 dated 01.11.2022, quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to produce the detenu, namely, Robin @ Rabin, S/o.Alangamani, aged about 43 years, who is now detained in Central Prison, Palayamkottai before this Court and set him at liberty. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sathish Kumar for Mrs.M.Anantha Devi For respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar, Additional Public Prosecutor