STATE OF T.N. vs P.K. SHAMSUDEEN

The Supreme Court held that the High Court of Madras erred in issuing a writ of mandamus against the execution of a detention order under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA). The Court emphasized that the detenu was aware of the delay in challenging the detention order and failed to raise the issue in the earlier writ petition filed in Calcutta. The appeal was allowed, and the High Court's order was set aside, reinforcing the principle that delay in execution does not automatically invalidate a detention order.