Back
2024 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 18899
HIGH COURT OF MADRAS
S.M. SUBRAMANIAM, J
JAYALAKSHMI – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF TAMIL NADU – Respondent
Detention orders must comply with the right to communicate effectively and timely with the detenue, failing which, the order can be quashed.
Headnote:
Detention - Habeas Corpus - Constitution Article 22(5) - Summary: The court quashed the detention order due to improper documentation that hindered the detenue's right to make an effective representation, interpreting the need for adherence to safeguards in detention proceedings.
Fact of the Case:
The detenue challenged the detention order claiming that the documents provided were poorly organized and led to his inability to submit an effective representation.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the detaining authority failed to provide documents in an understandable format, violating the rights of the detenue, thereby rendering the detention order illegal.
Issues: Whether the improper preparation and provision of documents constituted a violation of the detenue's rights under Article 22(5) of the Constitution.
Ratio Decidendi: The failure to supply essential documents in a comprehensible format denied the detenue the right to effectively challenge the detention order, which is fundamental under constitutional safeguards.
Final Decision: The detention order was quashed and the detenue was ordered to be released immediately.
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.)
The order of detention passed by the 2nd respondent in proceedings No.508/BCDGISSSV/2024, dated 14.05.2024 is sought to be quashed in the present Habeas Corpus Petition.
2.The documents supplied to the detenue are improperly paginated and even the index is not tallied with the documents furnished to the detenue. There is a total carelessness in preparing the typed set of papers by the Detaining Authority, which caused prejudice to the interest of the detenue to submit effect representation. The manner in which the typed set of papers served on the detenue cannot be appreciated in view of the confusion in the index as well as in pagination. Thus, the detenue has been prevented from submitting effective representation, which is a valuable right.
3. In this context, it is useful to refer to the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in ' Powanammal Vs. State of Tamil Nadu ' reported in '(1999) 2 SCC 413'. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, after discussing the safeguards embodied in Article 22[5] of the Constitution, observed that the detenue should be afforded an opportunity of making representation effectively against the Detention Order and that, the failure to supply every material in the language which can be understood by the detenue, is imperative. In the said context, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held in Paragraphs 9 and 16 {as in SCC journal} as follows:
“9.However, this Court has maintained a distinction between a document which has been relied upon by the detaining authority in the grounds of detention and a document which finds a mere reference in the grounds of detention. Whereas the non-supply of a copy of the document relied upon in the grounds of detention has been held to be fatal to continued detention, the detenu need not show that any prejudice is caused to him. This is because the non-supply of such a document would amount to denial of the right of being communicated the grounds and of being afforded the opportunity of making an effective representation against the order. But it would not be so where the document merely finds a reference in the order of detention or among the grounds thereof. In such a case, the detenu's complaint of non-supply of document has to be supported by prejudice caused to him in making an effective representation. What applies to a document would equally apply to furnishing a translated copy of the document in the language known to and understood by the detenu, should the document be in a different language.
..... 16.For the above reasons, in our view, the non-supply of the Tamil version of the English document, on the facts and in the circumstances, renders her continued detention illegal. We, therefore, direct that the detenue be set free forthwith unless she is required to be detained in any other case. The appeal is accordingly allowed.”
4. In view of the ratio laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and in view of the aforesaid facts, this Court is of the view that the detention order is liable to be quashed.
5. Hence, for the aforesaid reason, the detention order passed by the second respondent in proceedings No.508/BCDFGISSSV/2024 dated 14.05.2024 is quashed and the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed. The detenue viz., Sathishkumar s/o. Deivasigamani aged about 47 years the detenue, now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, is directed to be set at liberty forthwith, unless he is required in connection with any other case.
[S.M.S., J.] [V.S.G., J.]
14.08.2024 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Neutral Citation: Yes/No gd S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND V.SIVAGNANAM, J.
gd To
1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Fort.St.George, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Commissioner of Police, The Greater Chennai City, Vepery, Chennai – 600 007.
3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai – 600 066.
4.The Inspector of Police, Team Alpha-3, Bank Fraud Investigation
