Anitha v. The Superintendent of Police, Theni,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.] The present petition has been filed to issue a writ of habeas corpus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to trace the petitioner's daughter, namely, Sasidharani, daughter of Muthupandi, aged about 17 years, produce the person or body of the detenue before this Court, and hand her over to the petitioner.

¶2The case of the petitioner is that she got married to one Muthupandi, and out of the wedlock, they have two children. Thereafter, due to matrimonial dispute, she has been living separately for the past 10 years. While so, her daughter, aged about 17 years, who is studying in the 12th standard, went missing on 23.03.2026. The petitioner gave a complaint, based on which a case in Crime No.355 of 2026 was registered as a "girl missing" case. Since the respondent Police had not taken any effective steps to trace her daughter, she has filed the present petition.

¶3The learned Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu (Crl. Side), appearing for the respondents, would submit that, after several serious efforts, the victim was traced at Bangalore and produced before this Court.

¶4We have enquired the missing person. She would submit that she is studying in the 12th standard at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Andipatti, and that since her mother had compelled her to marry her maternal uncle against her wishes, she was forced to leave her home. She would further submit that she had been staying at Bangalore and was working in a readymade shop at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore. She is not willing to go along with her mother.

¶5The learned Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu (Crl. Side) would submit that, if the detenue does not want to go along with her mother, she will be kept in "Sakthi Vidiyal Home", Muthupatti, Palanganatham, Madurai, till she attains majority.

¶6Finding that the missing person does not want to go along with her mother, she is directed to be kept in "Sakthi Vidiyal Home", Muthupatti, Palanganatham, Madurai. Accordingly, this Habeas Corpus Petition is closed. No costs.

[A.D.J.C., J.] [B.M .J] gns 21.08.2026 To

1.The Superintendent of Police, Theni, Theni District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Antipatti Police Station, Theni District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

4.Sakthi Vidiyal Home, Muthupatti, Palanganatham, Madurai.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J. AND

B.MURUGESAN, J. gns

21.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 21.08.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.MURUGESAN Anitha ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Superintendent of Police Theni, Theni District 2.The Inspector of Police Antipatti Police Station Theni District ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of habeas corpus directing the respondents 1 & 2 to find out the petitioner's daughter, namely, Sasidharani, daughter of Muthupandi, aged about 17 years and produce the person or body of the detenue and hand over to the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.I.Velpradeep For Respondents : Mr.D.Venkatesh Counsel for State of Tamil Nadu (Crl.Side)