Devi, v. The Secreatry To The Govt.,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17.10.2016

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.JAICHANDREN AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S.BASKARAN H.C.P.NO.706 OF 2016 Devi ...

Petitioner Vs.

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

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

...

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 connection with the order of detention passed by the second respondent dated 22.03.2016 in Memo No.22/BCDFGISSSV/2016 against the son of the petitioner Manimaran, M/A. 26, Son of Sekar, who is confined at Central Prison, Vellore, and set aside the same and consequently direct the respondents to produce the detenue before this Court and set him at liberty.

For Petitioner :

Mr.A.Saranraj For Respondents :

Mr.V.M.R.Rajentren Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by M.JAICHANDREN, J.] This Habeas Corpus Petition is filed by the mother of the detenu namely, Manimaran, aged 26 years, S/o.Sekar, to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus, to call for the records, in Memo B.C.D.F.G.I.S.S.S.V.No.22/2016, dated 22.03.2016, 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 14/1982), the Tamil Nadu Act

14 of 1982, branding him as a "Goonda", in the Central Prison, Vellore 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 and 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, Mr.A.Saranraj, 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.5 of the order of detention, that the detenu has not moved any bail applications in Crime No.117 of 2016, on the file of Siva Kanchi Police Station. However, in the detention order it had been stated that the relatives are taking action to take him out on bail, by filing bail applications 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 bail applications, 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.

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 bail applications 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 22.03.2016, 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(CO) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar TK

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

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

3.The Superintendent of Central Prison Vellore(In duplicate for Communication to detenu) 4.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

5. The Joint Secretary to Government Public (Law & Order) Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-9 H.C.P.NO.706 OF 2016 KSJ(CO) EU 22.11.16