Ajantha v. the Principal Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu
Habeas Corpus – preventive detention under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 (sexual offender)
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, H.C.P. No.1652 of 2025, decided 06.01.2026 by P.Velmurugan, J (with M.Jothiraman, J): habeas corpus petition by Ajantha challenging the preventive detention of Senthilkumar, S/o. Mahalingam, aged about 50 years, at Central Prison, Coimbatore under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 as a sexual offender; impugned detention order dated 25.07.2025 arising from Cr.M.P.No.03/2025 of the second respondent (District Magistrate and District Collector, The Nilgiris District); petitioner's ground - no bail application filed, no likelihood of bail, detaining authority relied on a different case where bail was granted; respondents cited involvement in POCSO Act offences against 20 children and SC/ST Act offences; Court found the offences serious and refused to interfere; petition dismissed. Keywords: habeas corpus, preventive detention, Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982, POCSO, SC/ST Act, detention order, Nilgiris, Coimbatore Central Prison.