Michael Vijay v. State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by the Secretary, Chennai
2022-08-08
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, S.VAIDYANATHAN
body2022
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT (Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus calling for the records relating to the Detention Order vide Memo BCDFGISSSV No.330/2021 dated 02.11.2021 passed by the Second Respondent and quash the same and direct the respondents herein to produce the petitioner's father namely Xavier Arul, S/o. Arulappan, aged 45 years, (who is presently under going detention in the central prison, Puzhal, Chennai), before this Court and set him at liberty.) S. Vaidyanatha & A.D. Jagadish Chandira, JJ. 1. The petitioner is the son of the detenu viz., Xavier Arul, son of Arulappan, aged about 45 years. The detenu has been detained by the second respondent by his order in B.C.D.F.G.I.S.S.S.V.No.330/2021 dated 02.11.2021 holding him to be a "Goonda", as contemplated under Section 2(f) of Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982. The said order is under challenge in this Habeas Corpus Petition. 2. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. We have also perused the records produced by the Detaining Authority. 3. Though several grounds have been raised in the Habeas Corpus Petition, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would mainly focus his argument on the ground that there is gross violation of procedural safeguards, which would vitiate the detention. The learned counsel, by placing authorities, submitted that the representation made by the petitioner was not considered on time and there was an inordinate and unexplained delay. 4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the Habeas Corpus Petition. He would submit that though there was delay in considering the representation, on that score alone, the impugned detention order cannot be quashed. According to the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, no prejudice has been caused to the detenu and thus, there is no violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution of India. 5. The Detention Order in question was passed on 02.11.2021. The petitioner made a representation on 18.02.2022. Thereafter, remarks were called for by the Government from the Detaining Authority on 23.02.2022. The remarks were duly received on 03.03.2022. Thereafter, the Government considered the matter and passed the order rejecting the petitioner's representation on 20.04.2022. 6.
5. The Detention Order in question was passed on 02.11.2021. The petitioner made a representation on 18.02.2022. Thereafter, remarks were called for by the Government from the Detaining Authority on 23.02.2022. The remarks were duly received on 03.03.2022. Thereafter, the Government considered the matter and passed the order rejecting the petitioner's representation on 20.04.2022. 6. It is the contention of the petitioner that there was a delay of 8 days in submitting the remarks by the Detaining Authority, of which 2 days were Government Holidays, hence there was a delay of 6 days in submitting the remarks. It is the further contention of the petitioner that the remarks were received on 03.03.2022 and there was an inordinate delay of 48 days in considering the representation by the Hon'ble Minister for Home, Prohibition and Excise (XI) Department after the Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary dealt with it, of which 16 days were Government Holidays, hence, there was inordinate delay of 32 days in considering the representation. 7. In Rekha vs. State of Tamil Nadu ( 2011 (5) SCC 244 ), the Honourable Supreme Court has held that the procedural safeguards are required to be zealously watched and enforced by the Courts of law and their rigour cannot be allowed to be diluted on the basis of the nature of the alleged activities undertaken by the detenu. 8. In Sumaiya vs. The Secretary to Government (2007 (2) MWN (Cr.) 145), a Division Bench of this Court has held that the unexplained delay of three days in disposal of the representation made on behalf of the detenu would be sufficient to set aside the order of detention. 9. In Tara Chand vs. State of Rajasthan and others, reported in 1980 (2) SCC 321 , the Honourable Supreme Court has held that any inordinate and unexplained delay on the part of the Government in considering the representation renders the very detention illegal. 10. In the subject case, admittedly, there is an inordinate and unexplained delay of 6 days in submitting the remarks by the Detaining Authority and unexplained delay of 32 days in considering the representation by the Hon'ble Minister for Home, Prohibition and Excise (XI) Department. The impugned detention order is, therefore, liable to be quashed. In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in B.C.D.F.G.I.S.S.S.V.No.330/2021 dated 02.11.2021, passed by the second respondent is set aside.
The impugned detention order is, therefore, liable to be quashed. In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in B.C.D.F.G.I.S.S.S.V.No.330/2021 dated 02.11.2021, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The detenu, viz., Xavier Arul, S/o. Arulappan, aged about 45 years, is directed to be released forthwith unless his detention is required in connection with any other case.