Maheshkumar v. The Additional Chief Secretary to the Government

ORDER [Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH, J.] The petitioner is the detenu viz., Maheshkumar, S/o. Ganesan, aged about 22 years. The detenu has been detained by the second respondent by order in H.S.(M)Confdl.No.182/2022 dated 29.08.2022 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 counter has not been filed by the respondents, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed this petition and would submit that on completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in S.C.No.1 of 2023 and is pending before the learned Principal District Judge,

¶4Though the learned counsel for the petitioner has raised several other grounds to assail the order of detention, he has mainly focused his argument on the ground that the copy of the remand order has not been furnished to the detenu, despite the same has been sought for by him in his representation. Therefore, on the sole ground, the detention order is liable to be quashed.

¶5On consideration of the submissions made on either side and upon perusal of the documents available on record, especially, the representation made by the petitioner dated 11.10.2022, it is seen that the petitioner had sought for the initial remand order, however, the same has not been furnished to him, which vitiates the order of detention.

¶6In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in H.S.(M)Confdl.No.182/2022 dated 29.08.2022 passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu, viz., Maheshkumar, S/o. Ganesan, aged about 22 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.)

07.07.2023 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order mbi To 1The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

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

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

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. H.C.P(MD)No.1767oofo2022 M.S.RAMESH,oJ. and M.NIRMALoKUMAR,oJ. mbi H.C.P(MD)No.1767oofo2022

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.07.2023 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Maheshkumar .. Petitioner vs. 1.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The District Collector and District Magistrate, Thoothukudi District, 3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. ... 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 passed in H.S.(M)Confdl.No.182/2022 dated 29.08.2022 on the file of the second respondent herein and quash the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenu or body of the detenu namely Maheshkumar, aged about 22 years, s/o.Ganesan, now detained at the Central Prison, Palayamkottai, before this Court and set him at liberty forthwith. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Pragalathan For respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar, Additional Public Prosecutor