Ex-DMK councillor set free by court
The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed a detention order issued by Chennai city police commissioner against former DMK councillor Dhanasekaran of KK Nagar.
Allowing a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife Vijayakumari, a vacation bench comprising Justice Elipe Dharama Rao and Justice M. Venugopal held that the detention order dated September 16, 2009 of the CoP was ‘illegal’ and ‘unjustified’ and it was not in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Directing the authorities to set him at liberty if his presence was not required in any other case, the judges observed that it was latently and patently clear that CoP has taken in to consideration the extraneous matter at the time of passing the detention order under TN Act 14.
It cannot be said that the petitioner’s husband (Dhanasekaran) has acted in a manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order, the judges said adding that the criminal acts/ cases complained of against him are confined to special private offences and only related to L & O, which could be dealt with under criminal and other laws of the land applicable if any.
Absence of consideration by CoP in regard to remotest possibility of Dhanasekaran coming out on bail in a case pending before KK Nagar police station concerning with grave offences amounts to non-application of mind, which, in the eye of law violates the order of detention, the bench observed.
Offences alleged against Dhanasekaran do not affect adversely the maintenance of public order, the judges said.
Holding that there was no ground for preventive detention, the bench further added that the alleged offences are not traveling beyond the arms of ordinary law to deal with him.
In fact, the acts complained of against him do not affect the community at large having a bearing on the issue of maintenance of public order, the bench said.
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