Murugan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.04.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN H.C.P.(MD) No.514 of 2026 Murugan .. Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Palayamkottai Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

3.Vasanthakumar .. Respondents Prayer :Petition filed under Article 5146 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus, to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to secure and produce the body or person of the petitioner's wife namely Subha, aged 43 years, W/o.Murugan, before this Court and set her at liberty.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Prabhu For Respondents : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.ANAND VENKATESH,J.) This Habeas Corpus Petition has been filed for a direction to the first and second respondents to secure the petitioner's wife and to set her at liberty.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that he was married to the detenue and they were blessed with three children. The 3rd respondent, who claimed himself to be a godman, somehow lured the wife of the petitioner and all of a sudden, the petitioner's wife went missing from 11.02.2026 and her whereabouts were not known. Hence, a complaint was given before the second respondent, based on which, a ''woman missing'' FIR was registered in Crime No.137 of 2026. Since no effective steps were

taken by the second respondent, the present petition has been filed before this Court.

4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner's wife developed a relationship with the 3rd respondent and eloped with him. He further submitted that there are no other complaints against the 3rd respondent of the same nature.

5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the submissions made on either side, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to produce the detenue before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.1, Tirunelveli. On the date of such production, the petitioner shall be put on notice. The learned Judicial Magistrate No.1, Tirunelveli, shall also enquire into the conduct of the 3rd respondent and if this person claims himself to be a godman and indulges in such activities, the learned Judicial Magistrate shall proceed further in accordance with law.

6. This Habeas Corpus Petition is disposed of in the above terms. (N.A.V.,J..) (K.K.R.K.,J.,) 21.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Palayamkottai Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

N. ANAND VENKATESH,J.

AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN,J.

Indu H.C.P.(MD)No.514 of 2026 21.04.2026