S POOCHI AMMAL Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU, REP BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, PROHIBITION AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND DISTRICT MAGISTRATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is the wife of the detenu by name Sekar @ Settu @ Nondi Settu, who is detained as a ''Bootlegger" as contemplated under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 19 82), by the impugned detention order dated 18.03.2006, challenges the same in this Petition.

(2.) Heard learned Counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondents.

(3.) At the foremost, learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that there is enormous delay in disposal of the representations of the detenu dated 27.03.2006 and 23.04.2006, which vitiates the ultimate order of detention. In respect of the same, we verified the particulars furnished by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor. In so far as the representation of the detenu dated 27.03.2006, the same was received by the Government on 28.03.2006 and remarks were called for on 29.03.2006 and the remarks were received by the Government on 05.0 4.2006 and the File was submitted on 06.04.2006 and the same was dealt with by the Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary on the same day i.e. on 06.04.2006 and finally, the Minister for Prohibition and Excise passed orders on 07.04.2006. The rejection letter was prepared on 10.04.2006 and the same was sent to the detenu on 12.04.2006 and served to him on 15.04.2006. The above details show that there is no let up or undue delay as claimed by the learned Counsel for the petitioner.