Judgment : V. Dhanapalan, J. 1. The petitioner is the wife of the detenu. The detenu has been branded as a "Goonda" under the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 and detained under the order of the 2nd respondent passed in Memo No.1501/BDFGISSV/2013, dated 31.10.2013. 2. The detenu came to adverse notice in the following cases: S.No. Police Station and Crime No. Sections of Law 1 S-11 Tambaram P.S. Cr.No.1370/2013 379 IPC 2 S-11 Tambaram P.S. Cr.No.1592/2013 379 IPC 3 S-11 Tambaram P.S. Cr.No.1630/2013 294[b], 384, 506[ii] IPC The ground case alleged against the detenu is one registered on 17.10.2013 by the Inspector of Police, S-11 Tambaram Police Station in Crime No.1633/2013 for offences under Sections 341, 294[b], 336, 427, 397, 506[ii] IPC. 3. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner raised several grounds to assail the impugned order of detention, he mainly focused his arguments on the question of delay in consideration of the petitioner's representation, which has not been properly explained by the respondents. Therefore, it would vitiate the rights guaranteed under Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India. 4. We have heard Mr.P.Govindarajan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor on the above point and perused the records. 5. On a perusal of the list informing the course of consideration of the petitioner's representation, it is seen that the Detention Order was passed on 31.10.2013; the detenu made a representation to the detaining authority on 18.11.2013 and it was received by the competent authority on 21.11.2013; remarks were called on the same day and only on 03.12.2013 remarks were received and file was submitted on 05.12.2013; the Deputy Secretary dealt with it on the same day, but the Minister (Electricity, Prohibition and Excise) dealt with it on 10.12.2013 and the Rejection letter was prepared on 16.12.2013 and it was sent to the detenu on 18.12.2013. 6. 6. Verification of the above dates and events would clearly show that there is unexplained delay of fifteen [15] days [1]between 21.11.2013, the date on which remarks were called for and 03.12.2013, the date on which remarks were received [12 days] ; [2]between 05.12.2013, the date on which the Deputy Secretary dealt with the matter and 10.12.2013, the date on which the Minister dealt with the case [5 days] ; and [3]between 10.12.2013, the date on which the Minister dealt with and 16.12.2013, the date on which the Rejection letter was prepared [6 days] excluding holidays [8 days]. The said delay is not explained by the competent authority. Therefore, it is apparent that there has been an inordinate and unexplained delay in consideration of the petitioner's representation and the same contradicts the requirement of Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India and the consequence thereof is in infringement of the right of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. 7. Accordingly, the impugned detention order passed by the second respondent in BDFGISSSV No.1501/2013 dated 31.10.2013 is hereby quashed and the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed. The detenu, namely Gaja @ Gajendran in this case is set at liberty forthwith, unless his custody is required in connection with any other case.