VENMATHI SELVAM vs STATE OF T.N.

The Supreme Court held that the continued detention of Selvam under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1982 was illegal due to unreasonable delay in considering his representation. The Court emphasized that the unexplained delay from 21.10.97 to 10.11.97 rendered the detention unlawful, as the State failed to justify its actions despite opportunities to do so. Consequently, the Court quashed the detention order and directed Selvam's immediate release.