JUDGMENT

FAZL ALI, J. :— This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court dated May 13, 1971 by which the High Court allowed the writ petition filed by the respondent Ratan Singh a prisoner who was confined in Central Jail, Amritsar. The appeal arises in the following circumstances.

2. The respondent Ratan Singh was convicted by the Sessions Judge, Bhind in the State of Madhya Pradesh by his order dated October 16, 1957 under Section 302, I.P.C. and sentenced to imprisonment for life. An appeal filed by the respondent against the order of the Sessions Judge was dismissed by the High Court on May 19, 1959. Thereafter the accused made a prayer to the Government for transferring him from Gwalior Jail to Amritsar as the accused/respondent belonged to Punjab State. The representation of the accused was accepted and accordingly he was transferred to the Punjab Jail where he was lodged at 1554 Central Jail, Amritsar. The order of transfer was passed on October 15, 1959. The respondent contended that as he had completed the period of 20 years imprisonment including the remissions granted under the Punjab Jail Manual he was entitled to be re