Gayathri v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Principal Secretary To 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 Gayathri W/o.Arunkumar, No.4/65, Theepu Reddy, Kattuvalavu, Veerakal Post, Omalur Taluk, Salem District Petitioner(s) Vs

1. State of Tamil Nadu represented by Principal Secretary to Government Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009 2.The District Magistrate and District Collector Salem District, Salem 3.The Superintendent of Police Salem District Salem 4.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Salem 5.The Inspector of Police Tharamangalam Police Station, Salem 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 relating to the detention order dated 28.06.2025 passed by the second respondent in his proceedings C.M.P.No.08/GOONDA/C2/2025 and quash the same and direct the respondents herein to produce the petitioner's father viz. Sellan @ Selvaraj, son of Anandagounder, aged about 63 years, who is presently under going detention in the Central Prison, Salem as Goonda, before this Court and set him at liberty forthwith.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.C.S.Saravanan For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

(made by N.Sathish Kumar, J.) The petitioner, who is the daughter of the detenu Sellan @ Selvaraj, son of Anandagounder, aged about 63 years, has come forward with this petition challenging the detention order passed by the second respondent dated 28.06.2025 bearing C.M.P.No.08/GOONDA/C2/2025 slapped on her father, branding him as "Goonda" 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 final report 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 final report at page no.132 in Volume-I 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 28.06.2025 in C.M.P.No.08/GOONDA/C2/2025 is hereby set aside. The detenu Sellan @ Selvaraj, son of Anandagounder, aged about 63 years, 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 1.The Principal Secretary to Government Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009 2.The District Magistrate and District Collector Salem District, Salem 3.The Superintendent of Police Salem District Salem 4.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Salem 5.The Inspector of Police Tharamangalam Police Station, Salem 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