Madras High Court today quashed the detention of CPI MLA T Ramachandran and 16 others, accused in a murder case, under the stringent Goondas Act.
A Division Bench comprising Justices K N Basha and P Devadass allowed the petitions challenging the detention of Ramachandran and 16 others.
The bench said the detention orders had been passed by the Krishnagiri District Collector without application of mind, in a mechanical fashion and in the absence of cogent material available on record.
Ramachandran had on July 30 last year surrendered before a court in Tiruvannamalai in connection with the murder of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam Krishnagiri District Convener T Palani.
After a case was registered against the accused, the Goondas Act was invoked against them on the orders of the Krishnagiri District Collector.
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