The pendency of criminal cases against a convict prisoner does not serve as an absolute bar to the grant of ordinary leave under prison regulations.

(Order of the Court was made by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J . )

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner’s brother is undergoing life sentence in the second respondent Prison. The petitioner’s brother has spent more than four years in the prison. The petitioner applied for 21 days’ ordinary leave for her brother, which was rejected by the first respondent on the ground that the convict is facing other cases which are pending trial. Challenging the rejection order dated 04.05.2026, the writ petition has been filed.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner has brought to our notice that even though cases are pending trial, that would not be a ground to deny the request for ordinary leave. We are satisfied with the reasons set out in the affidavit filed in support of the petitioner.

4. We direct the respondents to grant twenty one (21) days ordinary leave for the convict without escort.

5. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 04.05.2026 is quashed and the writ petition is allowed on the following conditions:~

(a) The convict-prisoner, Karthick, Son of Jayapal, PID No.407554, confined at Central Prison-1, Puzhal, is granted ordinary leave for twenty one (21) days from 03.06.2026 to 23.06.2026 without escort.

(b) The convict prisoner shall be released from the prison at 05.00 p.m., on 02.06.2026 and he shall return to the prison at 10.00 a.m., on 24.06.2026.

(c) During the said leave period, he shall report before the Inspector of Police, Otteri Police Station, Chennai, daily at 07.00 p.m., from 03.06.2026 onwards, without fail.

(d) During the leave period, the convict prisoner shall abide by all the conditions prescribed in the Jail Manual.

Connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.