Failure to provide detention grounds in a comprehensible language violates the right to defense, rendering the detention order invalid.

(Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.)

The wife of the detenu viz., Peer Haneef, S/o.Peersheikoli, male, aged 31 years, who has been branded as Goonda under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982 (Act), has filed this habeas corpus petition. 2. We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, who points out to various fallacies in the impugned order. However, what appeals to us is the fact that the booklet containing the grounds of detention and annexures that has been supplied to the detenu contains an accident register, which has not been translated in the language known to the detenu. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor has no defence to this position.

3. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Powanammal Vs. State of Tamil Nadu ((1999) 2 SCC 413) has settled the position that in order to afford a proper opportunity to the detenu to put forth their defence, the grounds of detention and annexures must be supplied to the detenu in a language with which the detenu is conversant. The relevant observations are as follows:

“8.The law relating to preventive detention has been crystallized and the principles are well neigh settled. The amplitude of the safeguard embodied in Art. 22(5) extends not merely to oral explanation of the grounds of detention and the material in support thereof in the language understood by the detenue but also to supplying their translation in script or language which is understandable to the detenue. Failure to do so would amount to denial of the right of being communicated the grounds and of being afforded the opportunity of making a representation against the order. (See Hadibandhu Das v.

District Magistrate, Cuttack & Anr., [1969] 1 SCR 227).

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.”

4. In the present case, the detenu in his statement dated 26.07.2025 has categorically affirmed the position that he has studied in Miasi School, Mannadi till 8^th Standard. Hence, the non-furnishing of the translation of the arrest intimation in order to enable him to put forth his defence would be contrary to the principles of natural justice and fatal to the impugned order.

5.In light of the above, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in No.567/BBCDEFGISSSV/2025 dated 18.08.2025 is set aside.

6. The detenu, viz., Peer Haneef, S/o.Peersheikoli, aged 31 years, now confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, is directed to be set at liberty forthwith, unless his presence is required in connection with any other case.

(A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.)

26-03-2026 sl Index: Yes/No Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes Note: Registry is directed to issue a copy of this order today.

To