B.P. Singh, J.—This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order of the High Court of Judicature at Madras, Chennai in H.C.P. No. 34 of 2005 whereby the High Court dismissed the habeas corpus petition filed by the appellant and upheld his detention under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’). The detaining authority finding the appellant to be a ‘goonda’ under the provisions of the Act and there being a compelling necessity to detain him in order to prevent him for indulging in such further activities in future which were prejudicial to the maintenance of public order passed the impugned order of detention on 15th December, 2004.

2. The appeal came up for hearing before us on December 13, 2005. Since the order of detention was coming to an end on December 14, 2005 we heard the counsel for the parties and while allowing the appeal set aside the order of detention and directed the release of the appellant. We hereby give the reasons for our order mad