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2014 DIGILAW 1455 (MAD)

A. Vignesh v. Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise

2014-06-17

G.CHOCKALINGAM, V.DHANAPALAN

body2014
Judgment : V. Dhanapalan, J. 1. The petitioner is the brother 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 2ndrespondent passed in Memo No.1499/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 K-1 Sembium Police Station Crime No.1156/2012 341, 302 IPC @ 147, 148, 341, 302 r/w 149 IPC 2 K-9 Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar Police Station Crime No.730/2013 147, 148, 341, 336, 427, 307 and 506(ii) IPC The ground case alleged against the detenu is one registered on 25.10.2013 by the Inspector of Police, K-9 Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar Police Station in Crime No.1643/2013 for offences under Sections 341, 294(b), 336, 427, 392, 397 and 506(ii) IPC. Aggrieved against the same, the present petition has been filed. 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 petitioner made a representation to the detaining authority on 23.11.2013 and it was received by the competent authority on 02.12.2013; remarks were called on 02.12.2013 and only on 12.12.2013 remarks were received and file was submitted on 03.01.2014; the Deputy Secretary dealt with it on 03.01.2014; on 10.01.2014, the Minister (Electricity, Prohibition and Excise) dealt with it and rejected it. 6. Verification of the above dates and events would clearly show that there is unexplained delay of more than five days i.e. between 02.12.2013, the date on which remarks were called for and 12.12.2013, the date on which remarks were received, excluding holidays. The said delay is not explained by the competent authority. 6. Verification of the above dates and events would clearly show that there is unexplained delay of more than five days i.e. between 02.12.2013, the date on which remarks were called for and 12.12.2013, the date on which remarks were received, excluding holidays. 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 Memo No.1499/BDFGISSV/2013 dated 31.10.2013is hereby quashed and the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed. The detenu, namely Vimal @ Singamin this case is set at liberty forthwith, unless his custody is required in connection with any other case. 8. However, it is made clear that this order shall not preclude authorities concerned to effectively contest the matter before the Regular Court, uninfluenced by the above order. It is also made clear that this order shall not confer any right or advantage whatsoever to the detenu to claim anything before the Regular Court.