IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
S.M.Subramaniam, V.Sivagnanam, JJ.
Benazir Banu – Petitioner
Versus
The State represented by its, The Deputy Inspector General of Prison and ors. - Respondents
W.P.No.19780 of 2024
Decided On : 16-08-2024
Writ Petition - Leave for Convict - The court dismissed the writ petition seeking 30 days of ordinary leave for a convict, citing his previous absconding and failure to pay escort charges as grounds for ineligibility under the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus for 30 days of ordinary leave for her husband, Alaudeen, a convict serving life imprisonment for serious offenses, citing family medical and livelihood needs.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the convict was ineligible for leave due to prior absconding and non-payment of escort charges, which constituted a breach of his undertaking.
Issues: Whether the convict is eligible for ordinary leave despite previous infractions and non-compliance with escort payment.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the convict's prior absconding and failure to comply with the escort charge payment rendered him ineligible for ordinary leave as per the relevant rules.
Result: The writ petition was dismissed, and no costs were awarded.
ORDER :
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant ordinary leave for 30 days without escort to the detenue, Alaudeen S/o. Samsudeen aged about 34 years bearing Convict No. 5630 confined at Central Prison, Puzhal.
This petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondents to grant ordinary leave for 30 days without escort to the detenue, Alaudeen S/o. Samsudeen aged about 34 years bearing Convict No. 5630 confined at Central Prison, Puzhal. who was convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 120B IPC, 302 r/w 34 IPC and 201 IPC, 392 r/w 397 IPC, 465 r/w 109 IPC and sentenced to undergo Life Imprisonment in S.C.No.694 of 2005 dated 17.07.2014 by the learned Additional Sessions Court, Kancheepuram District at Chengalpattu.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner's husband/convict prisoner has undergone 06 years 08 months and 23 days of imprisonment, including the remand set off period and she seeks 30 days of ordinary leave to her husband/convict prisoner to make arrangements for her son's medical expenses and for the livelihood of their family.
3. At this juncture, learned Additional Public Prosecutor would oppose by stating that the convict prisoner is not eligible to avail ordinary leave for the following reasons:
(ii) When the convict prisoner was released on 06 days emergency leave without police escort on 28.04.2018, he was supposed to return on 05.05.2018 but he failed to return and had absconded. Later, the said prisoner was re-captured on 13.10.2021.
Thus, the convict prisoner has committed an offence under Section 224 of IPC and he is not eligible for ordinary leave as per Rule No.21(d)(5) of Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982.
4. The objection raised by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor seems to be acceptable. The convict prisoner had breached the undertaking given by him and thus, he is not eligible to avail ordinary leave. Therefore, we are not inclined to consider this petition and consequently, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs.
The eligibility for ordinary leave for convicts is determined by specific prison rules, and while a convict may not qualify for ordinary leave, they retain the right to seek emergency leave.
The court established that the eligibility for leave for convict prisoners is governed by specific legal provisions, which must be adhered to, limiting the leave duration to what is legally permissib....
The central legal point established in the judgment is the correct interpretation and application of Rule 22 of the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982, in determining the eligibility for o....
The court can grant leave to a convict prisoner based on favorable recommendations from a Probation Officer, despite inaccuracies in the leave application.
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