Back
2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 34913
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
N.ANAND VENKATESH, K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, JJ
Ravishanmugam – Appellant
Versus
The Deputy Inspector General of Prison – Respondent
W.P.Crl.(MD).No.2172 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Dr.Lakshmi Prasanna Komara
For the Respondents: Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar Additional Public Prosecutor
Court modified prisoner's leave condition from escort to daily police reporting for long-term convict.
Headnote:The petitioner, a life convict serving 19 years in prison for murder, challenged under Article 226 the proceedings granting 40 days ordinary leave with an escort condition. The court examined the imposition of conditions for prisoner leave. The court modified the escort requirement based on time served and circumstances. The issue was the legality of mandating an escort for ordinary leave. The ratio decidendi holds that for long-serving convicts, alternative reporting conditions suffice over escort, ensuring compliance without undue restriction. Writ petition allowed; escort condition modified to daily reporting and sureties.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. hearing arguments and sentence details considered. (Para 2 , 4) |
| 2. challenge to escort condition in granted ordinary leave. (Para 3) |
| 3. modified condition to daily reporting and sureties. (Para 5 , 6) |
This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the first respondent made in No.682/Utha.2/2025, dated 31.03.2026, wherein the first respondent granted 40 days ordinary leave and imposed the condition that the convict shall be accompanied by an escort. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.
3. The petitioner is a life convict who is presently serving sentence at Central Prison, Madurai. The petitioner submitted a representation seeking ordinary leave and while granting 40 days ordinary leave, a condition was imposed to the effect that the convict shall be accompanied by an escort and that condition has been put to challenge in the present Writ Petition.
4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the convict has undergone a sentence of 19 years, 1 month, and 23 days.
5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made on either side, this Court is inclined to modify the condition to the effect that the petitioner shall report before the 4th respondent daily at 6.00 p.m. during the entire period of ordinary leave. Apart from this condition, the detenue is permitted to submit sureties before the second respondent and two of the sureties shall be family members of the detenue. The other conditions imposed by the first respondent shall remain as they are.
6. This Writ Petition (Criminal) is allowed with the above directions. No costs.
