Gowsalya v. State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by
Preventive detention – Habeas Corpus Petition under Article 226
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court habeas corpus (H.C.P.No.1857 of 2025, decided 07.04.2026, Dr. Anita Sumanth, J. authoring for a Division Bench with Sunder Mohan, J.): preventive detention under Section 2(ggg), Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982 ('Sexual Offencer' category) quashed; detaining authority's subjective satisfaction vitiated by reliance on an inapposite bail order (CMP.No.257 of 2020 in Cr.No.634 of 2020 dated 12.09.2020) where bail flowed solely from default bail circumstances (charge sheet not laid, custody exceeding 90 days); detention order Cr.M.P.No.32/S.O/2025 dated 14.08.2025 set aside and detenu released unless required in other cases. Keywords: habeas corpus, preventive detention, sexual offender, subjective satisfaction, irrelevant/stale ground, bail order non-similarity, Coimbatore Central Prison.
What did the court decide?
Detention order dated 14.08.2025 set aside; detenu Vasanthakumar, S/o. Manikkam, aged 22 years, confined in Central Prison, Coimbatore, directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless his presence is required in connection with any other case.