Ezhil Rani, Aged 38 Years, v. State Of Tamilnadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 26.11.2018
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE C.T.SELVAM and THE HONOURABLE Mrs.JUSTICE S.RAMATHILAGAM H.C.P. No.1699 of 2018 Ezhil Rani ... Petitioner -Vs1.State of Tamilnadu, Rep. By the Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.
... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus, calling for the records relating to the detention order in Memo No.597/BCDFGISSSV/2018, dated 27.07.2018 passed by the 2nd respondent under the Tamilnadu Act 14 of 1982 and set aside the same and direct the respondent to produce the petitioner's husband Sathish Kumar, S/o. Panneerselvam the detenue, now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai before this Hon'ble Court and set the petitioner's husband Sathish Kumar S/o. Panneerselvam, aged about 39 years the detenue herein at liberty. For Petitioner :
Mr.M.Kaveri Selvam For Respondents :
Mr.R.Prathap Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
[Order of the Court was made by C.T.SELVAM, J.] The petitioner, who is the wife of the detenu, namely, Sathish Kumar, Son of Panneerselvam, aged 39 years, challenges
the impugned order of detention, dated 27.07.2018 in No.597/BCDFGISSSV/2018 detaining her husband as "GOONDA", as contemplated under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of dangerous activities of Boot leggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14/1982).
2.The ground case has been registered against the detenu in Crime No.341/2018 on the file of the N-4 Fishing Harbour Police Station for offences u/s 302 IPC. The detention order has been passed by second respondent in No.597/BCDFGISSSV/2018 on 27.07.2018.
3. We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. We have also perused the records produced by the Detaining Authority.
4. Though several grounds have been raised in the Habeas Corpus Petition, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, confines his argument only in respect of nonapplication of mind on the part of the detaining authority in passing the order of detention.
5. The Grounds of Detention would reveal that a ground case was registered against him in Cr.No.341/2018 for the offences u/s. 302 IPC. Admittedly, the detenu has moved bail application in the ground case and the same is pending before the Hon'ble High Court, Chennai in Crl.M.P.No.18630/2018. Therefore, the probability of release of the detenu imminently does not arise. Hence, we are inclined to set aside the detention order. Though the detaining authority has made reliance on similar case, in which an accused was granted bail, the facts involved in those cases are different. The principle of similarity cannot be applied mechanically. Normally, bails are granted based on the facts and circumstances of each case. Therefore, similar case plea, cannot be taken into consideration. Hence, there is no material to substantiate that there is real possibility of the detenue coming out on bail and the said order was passed without application of mind.
6.In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in No.597/BCDFGISSSV/2018 dated 27.07.2018, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The
detenu, namely, Sathish Kumar, Son of Panneerselvam, aged about 39 years, is directed to be released forthwith unless his detention is required in connection with any other case. Sd/- Deputy Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar kkn To:
1. The Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 600 009. 2.The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.
3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
4.The Joint Secretary Public (Law and order) Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
5.The Public Prosecutor High Court, Madras.
H.C.P.No.1699 of 2018 CSL/14.12.2018