Subbulakshmi v. The Secretary to the Government
Habeas Corpus (Article 226) against preventive detention – Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982, Section 2(f) ('Goonda')
Case brief
What is this about?
Preventive detention habeas corpus, HCP No.467 of 2026, Madras High Court, decided 23-07-2026 (neutral citation 2026:MHC:3050); Bench: Dr. Justice Anita Sumanth and Mr. Justice Sunder Mohan; order by Sunder Mohan J. Petitioner-mother Subbulakshmi challenged detention of son P.Ravindra @ Ravi branded 'Goonda' under Section 2(f), Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982 (Act 14/1982); detention ordered 25.11.2025 in C.No.195/G/IS/2025 by Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City. Quashed for non-application of mind: bail-possibility satisfaction founded on unsigned mother's statement under Section 180(3) BNSS lacking ground-case crime number; only signed statement of relative permissible. Followed HCP Nos.2129/2179/2340 of 2025 (03.03.2026) and HCP No.2356 of 2025 (22.06.2026); noted coordinate Bench per incuriam remark in HCP (MD) No.369 of 2026 (19.06.2026). Petition allowed; detenu set at liberty unless required elsewhere.