Summary: A young man named Manoj was held as a "troublemaker" in Tamil Nadu, but the court found problems with the delay in his detention and ordered his release.
The case was heard by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on December 10, 2025. The judges were Mr. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan and Ms. Justice R. Poornima. The petitioner, P. Perinpam, is Manoj's mother, and she filed the case against the State of Tamil Nadu and other officials.
Manoj, a 19-year-old from Tirunelveli, was held on February 24, 2025, under the Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 as a "troublemaker." P. Perinpam challenged this detention, stating it was unfair and delayed.
Manoj was arrested on January 18, 2025, after a police report was filed against him for various offenses. Another report was registered the next day. However, the detention order wasn't made until February 24, 2025—31 days later.
"This unreasonable delay in making the detention order would make it invalid," argued P. Perinpam's lawyer.
The court looked at the timeline and found that the delay wasn't explained. This lack of explanation led the judges to decide that the detention order was not valid.
The court referred to a similar case, Sushanta Kumar Banik vs. State of Tripura, where the Supreme Court ruled that delays in detention orders could make them invalid if not properly explained.
"The connection between the reasons and the purpose of detention is broken," the court noted.
The court allowed the request for Manoj's release and ordered his immediate freedom unless he was needed for any other case.
This case highlights the importance of timely legal procedures and the rights of individuals against improper detention.
