Research › Search › Judgment

Madras High Court · body

2006 DIGILAW 1168 (MAD)

Kalaimani v. The District Collector & District Magistrate & Another

2006-04-24

J.A.K.SAMPATHKUMAR, P.SATHASIVAM

body2006
Judgment :- (Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of habeas corpus to call for the records relating to the detention order dated 13.01.2006 passed by the first respondent herein in his office ref.D.O.No.1/2006/C2, quash the same and direct the respondents to produce the pe titioner's husband Thangavelu, Son of Vasu, Valayampattu Colony, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District presently undergoing detention in the Central Prison, Vellore under Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 before this Court and set him at liberty.) P. Sathasivam, J. The petitioner, who is the wife of the detenu by name Thangavelu, who was detained as a "Bootlegger" as contemplated under Section 3 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1982 (in short "Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982") by the impugned order of detention dated 13.01.2006, challenges the same in this petition. 2. Heard both sides. 3. At the foremost, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that inasmuch as the detenu is not conversant with English language and he knows only Tamil, in the Tamil version of grounds of detention he was asked to send his representation to the Chairman, Advisory Board, Koovam House, Omandhurar Government Estate, Swami Sivanandha Salai, Chennai 600 002, there is no specific mention how the same has to be sent/routed through. 4. In the light of the above said contention, we verified the grounds of detention both English and Tamil version. Though in the English version the Detaining authority has specifically stated that the detenu is free to make representation to the Chairman, Advisory Board, Koovam House, Omandhurar Government Estate, Swami Sivanandha Salai, Chennai 600 002 through the Superintendent, Central Prison, Vellore, in the Tamil version of the grounds of detention it has not been clearly stated, viz., how his representation is to be sent to the Chairman Koovam House, Omandhurar Government Estate, Swami Sivanandha Salai, Chennai 600 002. In view of the fact that the detenu is unaware of English language, we hold that defect in the Tamil version of the grounds of detention has caused prejudice in making effective representation, questioning the order of detention. In view of the fact that the detenu is unaware of English language, we hold that defect in the Tamil version of the grounds of detention has caused prejudice in making effective representation, questioning the order of detention. On this ground, the impugned detention order is liable to be quashed; accordingly, quashed and the detenu is directed to be set at liberty forthwith, if he is not required in any other case.