Anthony v. State Rep. By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 02.11.2016

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.JAICHANDREN and THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S.BASKARAN H.C.P.No.1029 of 2016 Anthony ... Petitioner Vs

1. State rep. by The Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Vepery, Chennai-600 007.

3. State rep. by The Inspector of Police T-12, Poonamallee Police Station, Chennai.

... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, to call for the records in memo No.358/BCDFGISSSV/2016, dated 29.3.2016, passed by the 2nd respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to produce the detenu Satheesh @ Kallarai Satheesh, son of Anthony, aged 30 years, who is now confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, before this Hon'ble Court and set him at liberty. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Milton Arul Rajendran For Respondents : Mr.V.M.R.Rajentren Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

[Order of the Court was made by M.JAICHANDREN, J. ] This Habeas Corpus Petition has been filed by the father of the detenu, namely, Satheesh @ Kallarai Satheesh, son of Anthony, aged about 30 years, to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus, to call for the records, in No.358/BCDFGISSSV/2016, dated 29.3.2016, passed by the second respondent, detaining the detenu, under Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982), branding him as a "Goonda", in the Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, and to quash the same and to direct the Respondents to produce the body of the detenu and set him at liberty forthwith.

2. We have heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, as well as the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State and we have also perused the records, carefully.

3. Though several grounds have been raised in this Habeas Corpus Petition, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, has assailed the impugned detention order mainly on the ground that the detaining authority had stated, in paragraph No.4 of the order of detention, that the detenu has not moved any bail application for T-12 Poonamallee Police Station Crime Nos.342/2016 and 347/2016, so far. It has been further stated that the relatives of the detenu are taking steps to take him out on bail, in T-12 Poonamallee Police Station Crime Nos.342/2016 and 347/2016, by filing a bail application before the appropriate Court. It had also been pointed out that no statements had been recorded from the relatives of the detenu with regard to the claim that they are taking steps to move a bail application, on behalf of the detenu and no such statements had been furnished to the detenu.

4. The said submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner had not been refuted by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.

5. It is noted from the records available that no statements had been recorded from the relatives concerned to substantiate the claim that they are taking steps to move a bail application on behalf of the detenu, to take him out on bail, in the above said case. In such circumstances, we find that there is non-application of mind on the part of the detaining

authority, in passing the detention order. Therefore, we are inclined to set aside the detention order.

6. Accordingly, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the impugned detention order, dated 29.03.2016, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu is directed to be released, forthwith, unless his presence is required in connection with any other case.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS II) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar vvk To

1. The Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Vepery, Chennai-600 007.

3. The Inspector of Police T-12, Poonamallee Police Station, Chennai.

4. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai 66.

5. The Joint Secretary to Government, Public(Law & Order), Fort Saint George, Chennai - 9.

6. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

H.C.P.No.1029 of 2016 GJ(CO) CA(08/12/2016)