Chennai: The Madras high court has ordered notice to the state home secretary and commissioner of police, Salem , on a petition, challenging the detention of Valarmathi, a second year M.A.(Journalism) student of Salem Periyar University, under the Goondas Act.
A division bench comprising Justices A.Selvam and P.Kalaiyarasan posted to August 7, further hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by Madhaiyan, father of Valarmathi, which sought to quash an order of the CoP, Salem, detaining her daughter under the Goondas Act.
Valarmathi was arrested for allegedly distributing pamphlets during an agitation against implementation of Hydro Carbon project at Neduvasal and planting of ONGC pipe lines at Kadirmangalam. Thereafter, the Commissioner of Police, Salem passed an order on July 17, detaining her under the Goondas Act.
In his petition, Madhaiyan contended that the detention of her daughter, who was fighting for the cause of the people, was malice in law. The people have got right to assemble peacefully without arms and the said agitation was protected under Article 19 (1) (b) (c) of the Constitution. The detention per se illegal and abuse of power, he added.
Meanwhile, the bench ordered notice to the state government on the petitions, challenging the detention of 4 accused, originally arrested in connection with murder of a watch at the Kodanad Estate bungalow of former Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa, under the Goondas Act.
The bench posted to October 26, further hearing of the habeas corpus petitions filed by parents of the the accused Udayakumar.
