G.Lawrence v. The State of Tamil Nadu, the Additional Director General of Police/I.G. of Prisons

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth, J.) The prayer of the petitioner, the wife of one D.Gabriel, who is a convict in Central Prison, Vellore, is for a Mandamus directing the respondents to permit the convict to avail treatment in a private dental hospital, i.e., Rajan Dental Clinic, Mylapore, Chennai.

¶2Mr.K.M.S.Muthukumaran, learned counsel for the petitioner, would submit that the petitioner is a diabetic and has already undergone dental treatment in a private hospital at the intervention of this Court in W.P.No.12264 of 2022, by an order dated 01.08.2022. Since his dental ailment has resurfaced, he has been requesting the authorities for treatment in a private hospital since April of this year. However, as his representations have gone unheeded and she is hence, constrained to approach this Court by way of this writ petition.

¶3Mr.C.R.Malarvannan, appearing for the respondents, reminds the Court of an order passed in this convict's case in W.P.No.12264 of 2022, where the challenge had been to rejection of leave.

¶4Be that as it may, the facts of that writ petition would have no bearing to the facts of the present case. Since the petitioner has made three representations, the first dated 25.04.2026, the second dated 06.05.2026 and third dated 04.06.2026, it was incumbent on the authorities to have considered the same and decide it one way or the other and communicate the order in a timely fashion to the petitioner.

¶5Since, admittedly, all these representations are pending, let the same be considered by the second respondent and orders passed expeditiously, not beyond one week from today and communicated to the convict forthwith.

¶6This writ petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. (A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 19-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking order hvk To

1.The Additional Director General of Police/I.G. of Prisons, Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.

2.The Superintendent of Central Prison, Vellore District.

3.The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Vellore.

4.The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Mayiladuthurai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District.

6.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. WP.Crl.No.1826oofo2026 DR.ANITAoSUMANTHoJ. AND SUNDERoMOHANoJ. hvk WP.Crl.No.1826oofo2026 19-08-2026 Pageo5oofo5

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN G.Lawrence ..Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, The Additional Director General of Police/ I.G. of Prisons, Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. 2. The Superintendent of Central Prison, Vellore District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Vellore. 4. The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Mayiladuthurai District. 5. The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District. (Crime No.1252 of 1988) ..Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition (Criminal) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to permit my husband Mr.Gabriel, S/o.Devasahayam, a life convict (Life Convict No.3830) detained and serving the sentence in the Central Prison, Vellore and to undergo the dental and related jaw treatment in the private hospital at Rajan Dental Clinic, Mylapore, Chennai for a period of two weeks with Police escort at the cost of the Tamil Nadu State Government. For Petitioner: Mr.K.M.S.Muthukumaran For Respondents: Mr.C.R.Malarvannan Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)