Chitrangi v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Its Additional Chief Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Chitrangi, W/o.Kathiravan, Rajeshwari Nagar, Nirnayampattu Village, Pagoor Taluk, Puducherry.
..Petitioner/Wife of the detenue Vs
1. State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Villupuram District, Villupuram.
3. The Superintendent of Police, Villupuram District, Villupuram.
4. The Inspector of Police, Thiruvennainallur Police Station, Villupuram District.
5. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Cuddalore.
...Respondents
Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Habeas Corpus, calling for the entire records relating to petitioner's husband detention order Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 vide detention order, dated 15.10.2025 on the file of the second respondent herein made in proceedings RC.No.C2/50/2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents herein to produce the said petitioner's husband namely Kathiravan aged 38 years son of Paramasivam, before this High Court and set him at liberty now petitioner's husband detained at Central Prison, Cuddalore. For Petitioner:
Mr.C.C.Chellappan For Respondents:
Mr.C.R.Malarvannan Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Sunder Mohan J.) The wife of the detenu - Kathiravan, aged 38 years, son of Paramasivam, has filed this petition challenging the detention order dated 15.10.2025, branding him as a '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 counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Crl.Side) for respondents.
3. From the submissions and perusal of the records, it is seen that the translated copy of the Seizure Mahazar and the Arrest Memo that have been
relied upon by the detaining authority have not been furnished to the detenu. Admittedly, the detenu is acquainted only with Tamil. It is well settled that if the relied upon documents are not furnished in the language known to the detenu, his right to make effective representation would be denied. In 'Powanammal Vs. State of Tamil Nadu' reported in '(1999) 2 SCC 413', the Hon'ble Supreme Court had held that non-supply of relevant documents in the language known to the detenu renders the detenu's detention illegal. 4.Accordingly, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in Detention Order in RC.No.C2/50/2025 dated 15.10.2025 is set aside.
5. The detenu, viz., Kathiravan, aged 38 years, S/o.Paramasivam, now confined in Central Prison, Cuddalore, is 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.) 23-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Note: Issue Order Copy today.
dk
To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Villupuram District, Villupuram.
3. The Superintendent of Police, Villupuram District, Villupuram.
4. The Inspector of Police Thiruvennainallur Police station, Villupuram District.
5. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Cuddalore.
6.The Joint Secretary, Law and Order Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
7.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.
AND SUNDER MOHAN, J.
dk HCP No. 2295 of 2025 23-06-2026