R RUKMANI AMMAL Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, PROHIBITION AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner challenges the detention order dated 14.12.2007, whereby the Petitioner's son was detained, branding him as 'Goonda' as contemplated under Section 2(f) of Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 [Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982].

(2.) Heard Mr. M. Soban, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Mr. M. Babu Muthu Meeran, Addl. PP., learned Counsel for the respondent.

(3.) The detenu had earlier come to adverse notice in seven theft cases in various police stations in and around the city of Chennai. The modus operandi alleged is that the detenu and his associates would divert the attention of two wheelers and car riders and while so diverting their attention, would commit theft of huge amount of cash and gold jewels either from the vehicles or from the person. The ground case refers to the occurrence on 30.11.2006, on which date the detenu is alleged to have wrongfully restrained the defacto complainant and extorted money by putting him in instant fear of hurt. A case was registered in Cr.No. 724/2006 under Sections 341, 397, 307, 384, 336 and 506(2) IPC in V5 Thirumangalam Police Station and the detenu was remanded to custody. On being satisfied that the detenu is indulging in prejudicial activities to the maintenance of public order, detention order was clamped on him branding him as "Goonda" under Act 14/1982.