Baby Shanthi Paulraj v. The Superintendent Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 13.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN H.C.P.No. 235 of 2026 Baby Shanthi Paulraj W/o.Paulraj Thangapandi ... Petitioner

Versus

1. The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Kancheepuram - 631 501.

2. The State Rep.by its Inspector of Police, Pazhanthandalam Police Station, Chennai - 600 132.

... Respondents Prayer:- Habeas Corpus Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, directing the second respondent police to produce the petitioner's daughter Sangeetha Paulraj, aged about 25 years, D/o.Paulraj Thangapandi before this Court and set her at liberty.

For Petitioner :

Ms.Rekha Sivakumar For Respondents :

Mr.A.Damodaran Additional Public Prosecutor assisted by Mr.M.Karthikeyan

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by P.VELMURUGAN, J.) When the matter was taken up for hearing on 12.02.2026, the second respondent-Police secured and produced the detenue, Sangeetha Paulraj, D/o.Paulraj Thangapandi Saravanan, aged about 25 years, before this Court. The father, mother (petitioner herein) and sister of the detenue were also present.

2. On enquiry, the detenue stated that she had left her parental home on her own volition and had gone along with one Joseph. She further expressed her unwillingness to go along with her parents. This Court advised the detenue to reconsider her decision and granted time to take an appropriate decision in that regard.

3. Further, upon interaction with the parents and sister of the detenue, it was revealed that said Joseph had criminally intimidated them, threatened them with dire consequences, and also assaulted the sister of the detenue. It was further submitted that though they had informed the Police about the said incident, the complaint was not entertained. Hence, this Court directed the respondents-Police to register the complaint given by the petitioner and to take appropriate action against the said Joseph. The matter was directed to be listed on 13.02.2026.

4. Today, when the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents-Police, on instructions, submitted that pursuant to the directions of this Court, the second respondent-Police has registered the complaint given against the said Joseph and are taking steps to remand him to judicial custody. He further submitted that the detenue has now expressed her willingness to go along with her parents.

5. On enquiry, the detenue reiterated her willingness to accompany her

parents. Accordingly, the detenue is permitted to go along with her parents.

6. In view of the above, this Habeas Corpus Petition is closed.

7. The respondents-Police are further directed to ensure that the photographs of the detenue are not disclosed or circulated in any social media platform or through any other mode by the said Joseph or any other person. The respondents-Police shall also proceed with the complaint given by the petitioner against the said Joseph in accordance with law. [P.V.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 13.02.2026 Index: Yes/No ms To

1. The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Kancheepuram - 631 501.

2. The Inspector of Police, Pazhanthandalam Police Station, Chennai - 600 132.

3. The Public Prosecutor High Court, Madras.

P.VELMURUGAN, J., AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J., ms H.C.P.No.235 of 2026 13.02.2026