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Selvi v. The Secretary To Government, Food, Co-operation And Consumer Protection Department And Others

Selvi v. The Secretary To Government, Food, Co-operation And Consumer Protection Department And Others

(High Court Of Judicature At Madras)

Habeas Corpus Petition No. 192 Of 2006 | 28-03-2006

(Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus to call for the records in connection with the order of detention passed by the second respondent dated 21.1.2006 in C.M.P.No.1/2006 against the petitioners husband Perumal son of Rengasamy, aged about 32 years, who is confined at Central Prison, Trichy and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenu before this Court and set him at liberty.)

P. Sathasivam, J.

The petitioner who is the wife of the detenu by name Perumal, who was detained as a "Black Marketer" under Section 3(2)(a) read with 3(1) of the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Government Advocate for the respondents.

3. At the foremost, learned counsel for the petitioner by drawing our attention to para 8 of the grounds of detention (English version) submitted that inasmuch as the detenu has not filed any bail application and on the date of the detention order he was in Central Prison, Trichy as a remand prisoner, there is no imminent possibility of coming out on bail and this relevant aspect has not been considered by the detaining authority.

4. In order to appreciate the above said contention, it is useful to refer the relevant paragraph, which is as follows.

" am aware that Thiru Perumal had been remanded to judicial custody in this case on 18.01.2006 and that he is still Central Prison, Trichy as remand prisoner. No bail application was filed so far. If he let out on bail and he is let to remain at large, he is very likely to continue in such prejudicial activities in future as well. Therefore there is a compelling necessity to pass the order of detention with a view to preventing him from indulging in such prejudicial activities in future."

5. It is clear that though the detaining authority was aware of the fact that the detenu was in Central Prison, Trichy, however, after finding that he has not filed any bail application so far, it is not clear how he arrived at a conclusion viz., that "... If he let out on bail and he is let to remain at large, he is very likely to continue in such prejudicial activities in future as well....". The above conclusion would show the non- application of mind on the part of the detaining authority, which according to us, vitiates the detention order. On this ground, we quash the impugned order of detention.

6. Accordingly, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the impugned order of detention is set aside. The detenu is directed to be set at liberty forthwith from the custody unless he is required in some other case or cause.

Advocate List
  • For the Petitioner V. Parthiban, Advocate. For the Respondents Abudhukumar Rajarathinam, Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side).
Bench
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P. SATHASIVAM
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE J.A.K. SAMPATH KUMAR
Eq Citations
  • (2006) 2 MLJ 200
  • LQ/MadHC/2006/862
Head Note

Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 — Ss. 3(2)(a) and 3(1) — Grounds of detention — Detenue not filing bail application and on date of detention order he was in Central Prison, Trichy as a remand prisoner — No imminent possibility of coming out on bail — Relevant aspect not considered by detaining authority — Non-application of mind — Impugned order of detention quashed — Constitution of India, Art. 226