In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh Date of Decision:-4.12.2025 Lalit Kumar @ Babbal … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE RAMESH KUMARI Present:- Mr. Prateek Pandit, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Adeshwar Singh Pannu, AAG, Punjab.

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GURVINDER SINGH GILL, J. (Oral)

1. The petitioner assails order dated 13.12.2024 (Annexure P-4) passed by respondent No.2 – Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, District Tarn Taran vide which his prayer for grant of parole has been declined while observing that the applicant is a ‘hardcore criminal’ and his release would endanger peace and security.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the authorities concerned fell in error in observing that the petitioner is a hardcore prisoner, whereas his case does not fall within the ambit of “hardcore prisoner” as defined in Section 2 (aa) of The Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release)

Act, 1962 (hereinafter refereed to as “the Act”).

3. We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned State counsel and have also gone through the impugn