Notice to police over Goondas Act against bank robbery accused

CHENNAI: A division bench of Madras High Court ordered notice to the State police to file its response on a petition filed to quash the detention order under the Goondas Act against one of the accused in the robbery of gold ornaments from the Fedbank’s gold loan office in Arumbakkam.

The bench comprising Justice PN Prakash and Justice RMT Teekaa Raman passed the direction on hearing the petition filed by Lourdhu Jayanthi, wife of M Santhoshkumar, one of the accused who was detained under the Goondas Act.

The petitioner sought direction to quash the detention order passed by the Chennai City Police Commissioner in September against her husband. Recording the submissions, the bench directed the police to file their response within four weeks.

It could be recalled that a gang stormed into the Fedbank’s gold loan service office in Arumbakkam on August 13 and looted the jewellery from that place. On August 14, police arrested Santhosh and Balaji from Villivakkam. Later, several other accused including an inspector of police named Amal Raj were arrested in the case.