Statutory authorities are legally obligated to consider and dispose of representations filed with them within a reasonable time, rather than allowing them to remain pending indefinitely.

(Order of the Court was made by L.Victoria Gowri J.)

Seeking a direction to the respondents to grant ordinary leave for

30 days without escort to the convict Perumal, S/o.Chithiraipandi, aged about 50 years, bearing Convict No. 10059 confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, the present writ petition has been filed.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.S.Raja Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, who accepts notice for the respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the daughter of the convict prisoner and leave has been sought for making arrangements for the treatment of convict prisoner’s wife and for the petitioner’s marriage. He further submits that the petitioner has also given a representation dated 05.11.2025 to the respondents in this regard but the same has not been considered.

4. It is needless to state that whenever a representation is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the authority to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. Therefore, the respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 05.11.2025 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.