Karnan v. The Additional Chief Secretary To Governement
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2021
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KALYANASUNDARAM and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI Karnan ... Petitioner/Father of the detenu -vs1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The District Collector and District Magistrate, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
3.The Superintendent, Trichy Central Prison, Trichy.
... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of habeas corpus, calling for the entire records connected with the detention order of the second respondent in P.D.No.23/2021, dated 03.03.2021 and quash the same and direct the respondents to produce the petitioner son's body and person by name Lakshmanan, S/o.Karnan, aged about 24 years, detained as a Goonda and lodged in Trichy Central Prison before this Court and set him at liberty.
For Petitioner :
Mr.R.Venkatesan For Respondents :
Mr.S.Ravi Standing Counsel for the Government
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by K.KALYANASUNDARAM, J.] This habeas corpus petition has been filed by the father of the detenu, namely, Lakshmanan, S/o.Karnan, aged about 24 years, against the detention order passed by the second respondent, in P.D.No.23/2021, dated 03.03.2021, branding him as "Goonda" as contemplated under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Act, 14 of 1982.
2. Mr.R.Venkatesan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, would argue that even though the petitioner has raised 1/3
several grounds, he has confined his arguments only to the delay in disposal of the petitioner's representation. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the procedural safeguards guaranteed under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution of India have not been followed in this case and there is unexplained and inordinate delay in disposal of the petitioner's representation, which would vitiate the impugned order of detention.
3. Mr.S.Ravi, learned Standing counsel appearing for the respondents, on instructions, submitted that after satisfying with the materials placed by the Sponsoring Authority, the Detaining Authority has passed the detention order and there is no illegality or infirmity in the detention order. It is also stated that even if there is any delay in disposal of the representation, it has not caused any prejudice to the rights of the detenu and hence, prayed for dismissal of the habeas corpus petition.
4. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. In the instant case, the proforma furnished by the learned Standing counsel would indicate that as against the impugned detention order, the petitioner made a representation to the first respondent, on 27.04.2021 and it was received on 30.04.2021. Remarks were called for on the same day i.e. 30.04.2021 and it was received on 28.05.2021. The Deputy Secretary dealt with the matter on 28.05.2021. The concerned Minister dealt with the matter on 26.07.2021 and the representation came to be rejected on 26.07.2021. It is seen that in between 30.04.2021 and 28.05.2021 and in between 28.05.201 and 26.07.2021, there was a delay of 57 days, after excluding the Government Holidays of 28 days, in considering the petitioner's representation.
6. At this juncture, it is useful to refer the decision of the Honourable Apex Court in the case of Rajammal vs. State of Tamil Nadu and another, reported in 1999 (1) SCC 417, wherein the Apex Court has observed and held that it is for the Authority concerned to explain the delay, if any, in disposal of the representation and if any delay was caused on account of nay indifference or lapse in considering the representation, such delay will adversely affect further detention of the prisoner.
7. In the case on hand, as stated supra, the delay of 57 days in considering the representation of the petitioner has not been properly explained by the respondents. Hence, in our considered view, the detention order is liable to be set aside solely on the ground of delay by following the decision of the Honourable Apex Court referred supra.
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8. In fine, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed. The detention order made in P.D.No.23/2021, dated 03.03.2021, passed by the second respondent, is set aside. Consequently, the detenu, namely, Lakshmanan, S/o.Karnan, aged about 24 years, who is now detained at Central Prison, Tiruchirapalli, is directed to be released forthwith unless his presence or custody or detention is required in connection with any other case.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar (W) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) akv Note :In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate / litigant concerned.
To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The District Collector and District Magistrate, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
3.The Superintendent, Trichy Central Prison, Trichy.
4. The Joint Secretary to Government, Public (Law &Order) Fort St.Goerge, Chennai 600 009 5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
29.07.2021 PS(CO) KB(12.08.2021) 3P 6C 3/3