2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN HCP No. 2523 of 2025 Bebin D/o. Thangadhurai, 3C, Krishnan Kovil Street, Kovilpathu, Kalakadu, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to The Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600009. 2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Coimbatore District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District. 4. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore-18. 5. The Inspector Of Police, Periyanaickenpalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Habeas corpus petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India to issue a WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS or any other writ or order in the nature of writ call for the records in connection with the order of Detention passed by the second respondent dated 09.11.2025 in Cr.M.P.No.48/G/2025 against petitioner’s Husband Prakash, Male aged 35 years S/o.Thangaraj, who is confined at Central Prison, Coimbatore and set aside the same and direct the respondent to produce the detenu before this Honourable Court and set him liberty. __________ Page 1 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Selvakumar For Respondent(s): Mr.C.R.Malarvannan Counsel For Government Of Tamil Nadu (criminal Side)

Order (Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.) We have heard Mr.S.Selvakumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.C.R.Malarvannan, learned counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side), learned counsel for the respondents. 2. The wife of one Prakash (detenu) S/o. Thangaraj, who was detained as a Goonda under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 (in short ‘Act’) has approached this Court challenging the order of detention dated 09.11.2025. 3. It is seen from the impugned order and the grounds of detention that the detenu was arrested on 06.10.2025 and he was detained on 09.11.2025. We do not find any satisfactory explanation for the delay in passing the order of detention either in the grounds of detention or in the counter affidavit filed by the 2nd respondent. Hence, we are of the view that the live and proximate link between grounds of detention and the purpose of detention stands snapped. 4. In Sushanta Kumar Banik Vs. State of Tripura (2022 LiveLaw (SC) 813), a similar issue arose, and the relevant discussion reads as follows: “21. It is manifestly clear from a conspectus of the above decisions of this Court, that the underlying principle is that if there is unreasonable delay between the date of the order of detention & __________ Page 2 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025

actual arrest of the detenu and in the same manner from the date of the proposal and passing of the order of detention, such delay unless satisfactorily explained throws a considerable doubt on the genuineness of the requisite subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority in passing the detention order and consequently render the detention order bad and invalid because the “live and proximate link” between the grounds of detention and the purpose of detention is snapped in arresting the detenu. A question whether the delay is unreasonable and stands unexplained depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.” 5. Drawing inspiration from the judgment in Sushanta Kumar Banik's case, a co-ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Gomathi Vs. Principal Secretary to Government and Others (2023 SCC OnLine Mad 6332), had held that when there is an inordinate delay between the date of arrest/date of proposal and the order of detention, the live and proximate link between them would also stand snapped and thereby, had quashed the detention order on this ground.

6. In yet another case i.e., in Nagaraj Vs. State of Tamil Nadu, ((2018) 3 MWN (Cri) 428), this Court had held that the delay of 36 days in passing the detention order after the arrest of the detenu would snap the live and proximate link between the grounds and purpose of detention. In the present case, the delay is more than a month, 34 days to be exact, and unexplained and for this reason, vitiates the order, rendering it liable to be quashed. 7. In light of the aforesaid discussion, we are of the considered view that there is neither a proximate link between the arrest (06.10.2025) and order of __________ Page 3 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 detention (09.11.2025), and nor is there any credible material brought on record by the detaining authority to substantiate his subjective satisfaction. 8. That apart, though the detaining authority notes that the bail application is pending and apprehends that the bail application may be allowed, however, the apprehension is based on a comparison with the accused in Crl MP No.715 of 2025 dated 24.09.2025. We note on a comparison of the two orders that, that accused has been granted on statutory bail and hence that bail order is not a proper comparison for the present facts and circumstances. In this light of the matter, we agree that the subjective satisfaction of the authority is vitiated.

9. Hence, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in Cr.M.P.No.48/2025 dated 09.11.2025 is set aside. 10. The detenu, viz., Prakash, S/o. Thangaraj, male aged 35 years, now confined in Central Prison, Coimbatore, 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.) 15-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes SSM Note to Registry : Issue Today __________ Page 4 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 To 1. The Secretary to The Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600009. 2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Coimbatore District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District. 4. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore-18. 5. The Inspector Of Police, Periyanaickenpalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. 6. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. 7. The Joint Secretary to Government Public (Law and Order), Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai – 9. __________ Page 5 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 DR.ANITA SUMANTH J. AND SUNDER MOHAN J. SSM HCP No. 2523 of 2025 15-07-2026 __________ Page 6 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN HCP No. 2523 of 2025 Bebin D/o. Thangadhurai, 3C, Krishnan Kovil Street, Kovilpathu, Kalakadu, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to The Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600009. 2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Coimbatore District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District. 4. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore-18. 5. The Inspector Of Police, Periyanaickenpalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Habeas corpus petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India to issue a WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS or any other writ or order in the nature of writ call for the records in connection with the order of Detention passed by the second respondent dated 09.11.2025 in Cr.M.P.No.48/G/2025 against petitioner’s Husband Prakash, Male aged 35 years S/o.Thangaraj, who is confined at Central Prison, Coimbatore and set aside the same and direct the respondent to produce the detenu before this Honourable Court and set him liberty. __________ Page 1 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Selvakumar For Respondent(s): Mr.C.R.Malarvannan Counsel For Government Of Tamil Nadu (criminal Side)

Order (Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.) We have heard Mr.S.Selvakumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.C.R.Malarvannan, learned counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side), learned counsel for the respondents. 2. The wife of one Prakash (detenu) S/o. Thangaraj, who was detained as a Goonda under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 (in short ‘Act’) has approached this Court challenging the order of detention dated 09.11.2025. 3. It is seen from the impugned order and the grounds of detention that the detenu was arrested on 06.10.2025 and he was detained on 09.11.2025. We do not find any satisfactory explanation for the delay in passing the order of detention either in the grounds of detention or in the counter affidavit filed by the 2nd respondent. Hence, we are of the view that the live and proximate link between grounds of detention and the purpose of detention stands snapped. 4. In Sushanta Kumar Banik Vs. State of Tripura (2022 LiveLaw (SC) 813), a similar issue arose, and the relevant discussion reads as follows: “21. It is manifestly clear from a conspectus of the above decisions of this Court, that the underlying principle is that if there is unreasonable delay between the date of the order of detention & __________ Page 2 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025

actual arrest of the detenu and in the same manner from the date of the proposal and passing of the order of detention, such delay unless satisfactorily explained throws a considerable doubt on the genuineness of the requisite subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority in passing the detention order and consequently render the detention order bad and invalid because the “live and proximate link” between the grounds of detention and the purpose of detention is snapped in arresting the detenu. A question whether the delay is unreasonable and stands unexplained depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.” 5. Drawing inspiration from the judgment in Sushanta Kumar Banik's case, a co-ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Gomathi Vs. Principal Secretary to Government and Others (2023 SCC OnLine Mad 6332), had held that when there is an inordinate delay between the date of arrest/date of proposal and the order of detention, the live and proximate link between them would also stand snapped and thereby, had quashed the detention order on this ground.

6. In yet another case i.e., in Nagaraj Vs. State of Tamil Nadu, ((2018) 3 MWN (Cri) 428), this Court had held that the delay of 36 days in passing the detention order after the arrest of the detenu would snap the live and proximate link between the grounds and purpose of detention. In the present case, the delay is more than a month, 34 days to be exact, and unexplained and for this reason, vitiates the order, rendering it liable to be quashed. 7. In light of the aforesaid discussion, we are of the considered view that there is neither a proximate link between the arrest (06.10.2025) and order of __________ Page 3 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 detention (09.11.2025), and nor is there any credible material brought on record by the detaining authority to substantiate his subjective satisfaction. 8. That apart, though the detaining authority notes that the bail application is pending and apprehends that the bail application may be allowed, however, the apprehension is based on a comparison with the accused in Crl MP No.715 of 2025 dated 24.09.2025. We note on a comparison of the two orders that, that accused has been granted on statutory bail and hence that bail order is not a proper comparison for the present facts and circumstances. In this light of the matter, we agree that the subjective satisfaction of the authority is vitiated.

9. Hence, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in Cr.M.P.No.48/2025 dated 09.11.2025 is set aside. 10. The detenu, viz., Prakash, S/o. Thangaraj, male aged 35 years, now confined in Central Prison, Coimbatore, 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.) 15-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes SSM Note to Registry : Issue Today __________ Page 4 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 To 1. The Secretary to The Government, Home Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600009. 2. The District Collector and District Magistrate, Coimbatore District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District. 4. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore-18. 5. The Inspector Of Police, Periyanaickenpalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. 6. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. 7. The Joint Secretary to Government Public (Law and Order), Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai – 9. __________ Page 5 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2026:MHC:2782 HCP No. 2523 of 2025 DR.ANITA SUMANTH J. AND SUNDER MOHAN J. SSM HCP No. 2523 of 2025 15-07-2026 __________ Page 6 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis