JUDGMENT

Vikas Bahl, J. (Oral) - This is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for setting aside the order dated 04.05.2022 passed by respondent no.3 rejecting the parole case of the petitoner with a further prayer to issue directions to respondents to release the petitioner on parole for 8 weeks to meet his family members and to settle household affairs.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner was convicted in FIR no.207 dated 22.12.2017 registered under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (in short 'NDPS Act') at Police Station City Malout, District Sri Muktsar Sahib and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and to pay fine of Rs. 1 lac by the learned Judge, Special Court, Sri Muktsar Sahib on 09.09.2021 and the petitioner is undergoing the said sentence and the criminal appeal filed against the same is pending. It is submitted that the petitioner is in custody since the last more than 3 years and had applied for 8 weeks parole before the jail authorities under Section 3(1)(d) of the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act 1962 (Amended Act 2015) (in short 'the