Detention of Valarmathi under Goondas Act challenged

A division bench comprising Justice A Selvam and Justice Pon. Kalaiyarasan before whom a habeas corpus petition was filed by Valarmathi’s father Madayan came up for hearing on Wednesday adjourned the case to Thursday. The adjournment was owing to the request put forth by Valarmathi’s counsel that the bail plea filed by them is pending adjudication.

Madayan, in his plea, had contended that the detention of his daughter Valarmathi who was fighting for a public cause peacefully, is malice in Law.

Pointing out that people have got a right to protest peacefully without any arms and it is protected under 19(1)(b)(c) of Constitution of India, he said a minor infraction in the law and order situation can be controlled under normal law of the land and there is no compelling necessity to pass such a detention order. He further noted that the detention of his daughter is per se illegal and a clear-cut case of abuse of power.

Valarmathi, a student of mass communication and journalism, was detained under the Goondas Act based of the orders by Commissioner of Police, Salem, on July 17, 2017.