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Judgment
A. Selvam, J.—This Habeas Corpus Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to call for records relating to detention order in No. 51/BDFGISSV/2014, dated 09.09.2014 by the detaining authority, who has been arrayed as second respondent herein against the detenu by name Ganesan @ ''Padaikambu'' Ganesan, Son of Esakki Pandi and quash the same and thereby set him at liberty forthwith.
The Inspector of Police, D.2 Sellur Police Station as sponsoring authority has submitted an affidavit to the detaining authority, wherein it is stated that the detenu has involved in the following adverse cases:
(i) Crime No. 1021 of 2013, D.2 Sellur Police Station registered under Sections 147, 148 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
(ii) Crime No. 399 of 2014, D.2 Sellur Police Station registered under Sections 294(b), 323 and 506(i) of the Indian Penal Code.
(iii) Crime No. 554 of 2014, D.2 Sellur Police Station registered under Sections 392 read with 397 and 506(ii) of the Indian Penal Code.
Further it is stated in the affidavit that on 24.07.2014 one Subramani, Son of Rangasamy has lodged a complaint in D.2 Sellur Police Station against the detenu and the same has been registered in Crime No. 772 of 2014 under Sections 392 read with 397 and 506(ii) of the Indian Penal Code and ultimately requested the detaining authority to invoke Act 14 of 1982 against the detenu.
The detaining authority viz., second respondent herein after perusing the averments made in the affidavit coupled with other connected documents has derived subjective satisfaction to the effect that the detenu is a habitual offender and thereby branded him as ''Goonda'' by way of passing the impugned detention order and in order to quash the same, the present Habeas Corpus Petition has been filed by the detenu himself as petitioner.
On the side of the respondents a detailed counter has been filed, wherein it has been contended to the effect that all the averments made in the petition are false and ultimately prayed to dismiss the same.
The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has contended that on the side of the detenu two representations have been submitted and the same have not been disposed of without delay and therefore the detention order in question is liable to be quashed.
Per contra, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor has contended that the representations submitted on the side of the detenu have been duly disposed of without delay and therefore the detention order in question does not call for any interference.
On the side of the respondents, a proforma has been submitted wherein it has been clearly stated that with regard to first representation in between Column Nos. 7 to 9, five clear working days are available and in between Column Nos. 12 and 13, four clear working days are available and with regard to second representation in between Column Nos. 7 to 9, five clear working days are available and in between Column Nos. 12 and 13, two clear working days are available and no explanation has been given on the side of the respondents with regard to such huge delay and that itself would affect the rights of the detenu guaranteed under Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India and therefore the detention order in question is liable to be quashed.
In fine, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the detention order in No. 51/BDFGISSV/2014, dated 09.09.2014 by the second respondent/detaining authority is quashed and consequently the respondents are directed to set the detenu viz., Ganesan @ ''Padaikambu'' Ganesan, Son of Esakki Pandi at liberty forthwith, unless he is required to be incarcerated in connection with any other case.