E.N.Sreejith, M/Age 34 Years v.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.11.2018

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE C.T.SELVAM and THE HONOURABLE Mrs.JUSTICE S.RAMATHILAGAM H.C.P. No.1801 of 2018 E.N.Sreejith ... Petitioner -Vs1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 600 009. 2.The Commissioner of Police/Detaining Authority, Greater Chennai, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus, direct the respondent to produce the body of the petitioner, namely, E.N.Sreejitth, Son of Soman who is detained in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai before this Hon'ble Court and set him at liberty forthwith by calling for the records pursuant to the detention order dated 31.07.2018 made in No.622/BCDFGISSSV/2018 on the file of the 2nd respondent herein and quash the same.

For Petitioner :

Mr.S.S.Jagadev For Respondents :

Mr.R.Prathap Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

[Order of the Court was made by C.T.SELVAM, J.] The petitioner is the detenu, namely, Sreejith, Son of Soman, age 34 years, challenges the impugned order of detention, dated 31.07.2018 in No.622/BCDFGISSSV/2018 detaining him 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.335/2018 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Cell, Central Crime Branch for offences u/s. 420, 468 & 471 IPC and 66 C, 66 D of IT Act. The detention order has been passed by second respondent in No.622/BCDFGISSSV/2018 on 31.07.2018.

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 a ground case was registered against him in Cr.No.199/2018 for the offences u/s. 420, 468 & 471 IPC. Admittedly, the detenu has moved bail application in the ground case and the same is pending before the Hon'ble High Court, Madras, in Crl.M.P.No.19052/2018. 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.622/BCDFGISSSV/2018 dated 31.07.2018, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu, namely, Sreejith, Son of Soman, aged about 34 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 Additional Chief 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.

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.

+1cc to Mr.S.J.Jagadev, Advocate SR.No.79004 H.C.P.No.1801 of 2018 GMY(11/12/2018)