Meenachi v. The Additional Chief Secretary To Government,

2026:MHC:1621

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 28-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Meenachi W/o.Krishnan, No.530, G Block, Thazhankuppam Quarters, Ennore, Chennai - 600 057.

...Petitioner/Mother of

the detenu Vs

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

2. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai,

3. The Superintendent of Police, Central Prison Puzhal - II, Chennai - 600 066.

4. The Inspector of Police, N-4, Fishing Harbour Police Station, ..Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Habeas Corpus, calling for the records relating to the detention order BBCDEFGISSSV 617/2025 dated 28.08.2025, passed by the 2nd respondent and quash the same and to produce the petitioner's Son Sathishkumar @ Sengottai, S/o.Krishnan, aged about 23 years, the detenue now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal-II, Chennai, before this Court and the petitioner's Son Sathishkumar @ Sengottai, S/o.Krishnan aged about 23 years the detenue herein at liberty. For Petitioner:

Mr.D.Sugumar For Respondents:

Mr.R.Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor Assisted by Mr.M.Sylvester John

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by Sunder Mohan J.) The mother of the detenu - Sathishkumar @ Sengottai, S/o.Krishnan, aged 23 years, has filed this petition challenging the detention order dated 28.08.2025, branding him as 'Goonda' under

Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982 (Act 14/1982).

2. We have heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for respondents.

3. Though several grounds have been raised, we are of the view that the detention order is liable to be quashed on the ground that the satisfaction of the detaining authority as regards the real possibility of the detenu coming out on bail suffers from non-application of mind.

4. The detaining authority has relied upon a statement said to have been made by the mother of the detenu, under Section 180(3) of the BNSS that she is taking steps to file a bail application in the ground case. However, we find that the statement of the mother of the detenu is unsigned. We have in HCP No. 1684 of 2025 vide order dated 01.04.2026, held that, the unsigned statement cannot be relied upon to infer that the detenu is likely to file bail application.

5. Therefore, the reliance placed on the said statement by the detaining authority to arrive at the satisfaction that there is a real possibility of the detenu coming out on bail is misconceived. The inference that the detenu would indulge in further criminal activities after his release also is without any basis. Hence, the detention order is liable to be quashed.

6. In light of the aforesaid discussion, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in No.617/BBCDEFGISSSV/2025 dated 28.08.2025 is set aside.

7. The detenu, viz., Sathishkumar @ Sengottai, S/o.Krishnan, aged 23 years, who is now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, is hereby directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless his presence is required in connection with any other case.

(A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 28-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order dk Issue Order Today

To

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

2. The Commissioner Of Police, Greater Chennai,

3. The Superintendent of Police, Central Prison Puzhal-II, Chennai - 600 066.

4. The Inspector Of Police, N-4, Fishing Harbour Police Station, 5.The Joint Secretary, Law and Order Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

6.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.

AND SUNDER MOHAN, J.

dk HCP No. 1887 of 2025 28-04-2026