Chithra v. The Secretary To The Government,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN Chithra W/o.Murugesan, Mandhai, Gettisamudram, Michaelpalayam Village, Anthiyur Taluk, Erode District.
Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
2.The District Magistrate and District Collector, Erode District.
3.The District Forest Officer, Erode Division, Erode District.
4.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore.
5.The Inspector of Police, Anthiyur Forest Range, Erode Division, Erode District. Respondent(s)
Habeas Corpus Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus to call for the records in connection with the order of detention passed by the second respondent 26.06.2025 in Cr.M.P.No.31/Forest Offender/2025 C1 against the petitioner's husband Murugesan, aged 47 years, S/o.Easwaran, who is confined at Central Prison, Coimbatore and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenu before this Court and set him at liberty. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.C.Harish For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
(made by N.Sathish Kumar, J.) The petitioner, who is the wife of the detenu Murugesan, aged 47 years, S/o.Easwaran, has come forward with this petition challenging the detention order passed by the second respondent dated 26.06.2025 bearing Cr.M.P.No.31/Forest Offender/2025 C1 slapped on her husband, branding him as "Forest Offender" under 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].
2.
Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. 3.
Though several grounds have been raised by the petitioner in the habeas corpus petition assailing the detention order, in the hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner mainly focused his argument on the ground that the language known to the detenu is Tamil but the Government Order in G.O.(D).No.112 translated in Tamil was not served on the detenu and the same has prevented him from making an effective representation against the detention order. Hence, the impugned order is liable to be set aside. 4.
Per contra, learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that the order of detention has been passed on cogent and sufficient materials and the same cannot be interfered with at the instance of the petitioner. 5.
A perusal of the booklet would disclose that the translated version of the Government Order in G.O.(D).No.112 at page no.50 in Volume-II of the booklet was not furnished to the detenu in a language
known to him, thereby, the detenu has been put to prejudice and is deprived of making an effective representation for revocation of the detention order. The non-furnishing of translated version of document(s) relied on by the detaining authority particularly when the detenu is not conversant with the language violates his constitutional rights and can vitiate the detention order. Hence, on this ground, the impugned order of detention is vitiated and is liable to be quashed.
In the result, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the detention order passed by the second respondent dated 26.06.2025 in Cr.M.P.No.31/Forest Offender/2025 C1 is hereby set aside. The detenu Murugesan, aged 47 years, S/o.Easwaran, is directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless he is required in connection with any other case. (N.S.K., J.) (M.J.R., J.) 28.10.2025 nsd Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes
To Vs 1.The Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
2.The District Magistrate and District Collector, Erode District.
3.The District Forest Officer, Erode Division, Erode District.
4.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore.
5.The Inspector of Police, Anthiyur Forest Range, Erode Division, Erode District. 6.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.
7.The Joint Secretary to Government, Public (Law and Order), Fort St.George, Chennai - 9.
N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.
nsd 28.10.2025