Poongodi v. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government

Order (Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.) The mother of the detenu - Moses, S/o. Edwin, branded as Goonda and confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai under detention order dated

27.10.2026 has challenged the order of detention in this HCP.

¶2We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Counsel for Government Of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side).

¶3One of the grounds in the detention order dated 27.10.2026 is that the detenu may be enlarged on bail. The detaining authority referred to the statement allegedly recorded from the wife of the detenue under Section 180(3) of the BNSS to the effect that they have not filed bail petition at that time, but she will make an attempt to file a bail application before the appropriate Court. A copy of the statement has been placed at page No.32 of the booklet. Page3 of 6

¶4However, we find that the statement is neither dated nor signed and hence there is nothing to support the satisfaction of the detaining authority that there are efforts on-going to secure bail for the detenu. If at all the authority wishes to rely on the statement, such statement would necessarily have to be signed by the relative to support the apprehension of the authority.

¶5We have, in fact, taken a similar view in our order dated 03.03.2026 in HCP Nos. 2129, 2179 and 2340 of 2025 and the relevant paragraphs are extracted below:

¶8On the first question whether bail applications have been filed at all, we have perused the booklets that contain the avowed statements of M.Pitchaiammal at page 147, Nagomi at page 146 and Mohan at page 148 of the booklet.

¶9According to the petitioners, there are three flaws in the statements recorded. Firstly, they are unsigned, secondly, they are undated and thirdly, the crime number mentioned therein is incorrect, insofar as the crime number mentioned is 332 of 2025, whereas the crime number in the ground case in all three cases is 378 of 2025.

¶10Having considered the rival contentions, we agree with the petitioners that the statements relied upon by the respondents do not support their case. Firstly, the statements are indeed unsigned and undated. There is hence absolutely no clarity, much less certainty, as to when they were recorded.

¶11The description of the statements on the top of the page refers to Section 180(3) of the BNSS which corresponds to Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. A statement under Section 161 is recorded in the course of investigation and the provisions of Section 162 stipulate that such a statement is not expected to be signed. That may be so. However, since in the present cases, the respondents seek to draw the benefit of those statements, it is Page4 of 6 necessary for the statements to have been signed in order to support the conclusion that Pitchaiammal, Nagomi, and Mohan are taking steps to obtain bail in the cases of the respective detenus. In the absence of a signature, these statements cannot be relied upon for this purpose.

¶12………...

¶13……... We hence eschew the statements in toto for the purposes of the present cases. As a sequitur, subjective satisfaction of the Sponsoring Authority that M.Pitchaiammal, Nagomi and Mohan are taking steps to obtain bail, based on the above statements stands vitiated and the argument of the petitioners on this count is accepted.

¶6In light of the aforesaid discussion, this Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the Detention Order passed by the second respondent in No.859/BBCDEFGISSSV/2025, dated 27.10.2025, is set aside.

¶7The detenu, viz., Moses, S/o. Edwin, aged 23 years, confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, is directed to be set at liberty forthwith unless his presence is required in connection with any other case. (A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 11-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking order SL Note: Issue today. Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Home Prohibition and excise Department Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009

¶2The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai.

¶3The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Puzhal Chennai.

¶4The Inspector of Police Law and Order K-4 Anna Nagar Police Station, Chennai.

¶5The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

¶6The Joint Secretary to Government Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009 HCPoNo.o751oofo2026 DR.ANITAoSUMANTHoJ. AND SUNDERoMOHANoJ. SL HCPoNo.o751oofo2026 11-06-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 11-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Poongodi W/o.Edwin No.77 Annai Sathya Nagar 2nd Street Anna Nagar East Chennai 102 ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Home Prohibition and excise Department Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009 2. The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai 3. The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Puzhal Chennai 4. The Inspector of Police Law and Order K-4 Anna Nagar Police Station, Chennai ..Respondent(s) PETITION filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS or any other Writ or Order in the nature of Writ call for the records in connection with the order of Detention passed by the second respondent dated 27.10.2025 in MEMO NO.859/BBCDEFGISSSV/2025 against the petitioners son namely MOSES Page2 of 6 MALE AGED 23 YEARS S/O.EDWIN who is confined at Central Prison Puzhal Chennai and set aside the same and direct the respondents to produce the detenue before the Honble Court and set him at Liberty. For Petitioner(s): S.Senthilvel For Respondent(s): Mr. C.R. Malarvannan, Counsel For Government Of Tamil Nadu (criminal Side)