JUDGMENT (ORAL)

1. Petitioner assails order dated 01.10.2024 of the Competent Authority, whereby his application for being released on furlough was dismissed. Petitioner also seeks a mandamus directing the respondent to release him on furlough for a period of three weeks.

2. Briefly stated, the furlough application of petitioner was rejected by the Competent Authority on the ground that he jumped the parole and was punished on 26.04.2024 with a warning, which has effect for a period of one year on eligibility to claim furlough. The punishment ticket dated 22.07.2024 has also been placed on record reflecting that the petitioner was scheduled to surrender from parole on 07.04.2023 but he did not surrender, so he was arrested on 25.04.2024. The said parole was in the form of emergency parole during the Covid period which was extended from time to time under the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

3. Learned counsel appearing for State, in all fairness does not oppose 4. There is nothing on record to show that at the time of being released, the petitioner was informed a specific date on which he