Tamilazhagan v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by The Chief Justice) This Public Interest Litigation has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 12.01.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to give 9 shifts for advocate interview with inmates and allot more cabins in the Puzhal Prison-1, Chennai as the very same facilities are granted by the Puzhal Prison-2, Chennai.

¶2The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority was suo motu impleaded in this writ petition as fourth respondent.

¶3Learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent submitted that the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority has conducted an inspection on 12.05.2026 and filed the report of the Member Secretary. Page3 of 7

¶4Para 4 of the said Report reads as under:- "4. Upon visiting the visitor cabins and having discussions with the Superintendent, Central Prison-[. Puzhal. and other Prison officials. the following information were ascertained and collected : a. There were 831 convict prisoners and 424 remand prisoners lodged in Central Prison-I, Puzhal, as on the date of visit, i.e., 12-05-2026 (Tuesday). b. There are 16 cabins provided for interview by Advocates with the inmates, with partition in between them. c. There are six shifts available from Monday to Friday and eight shifts on Saturday with the duration of half-an-hour each. d. The shift timings are as under: Shift Timing for Monday to Friday Shift Reporting Time Interview start time Interview end time

12.50 pm

01.00 pm

01.30 pm

01.30 pm

01.40 pm

02.10 pm

02.10 pm

02.20 pm

02.50 pm

02.50 pm

03.00 pm

03.30 pm

03.30 pm

03.40 pm

04.10 pm

04.10 pm

04.20 pm

04.50 pm

Page4 of 7 Shift Timing for Saturday Shift Reporting Time Interview start time Interview end time

10.50 pm

11.00 pm

11.30 pm

11.30 pm

11.40 pm

12.10 pm

12.10 pm

12.20 pm

12.50 pm

12.50 pm

01.00 pm

01.30 pm

01.30 pm

01.40 pm

02.10 pm

02.10 pm

02.20 pm

02.50 pm

02.50 pm

03.00 pm

03.30 pm

03.30 pm

03.40 pm

04.10 pm * Slot booking for interview with the inmates are done by the Advocates either over phone (ten lines) prior to the date of interview or in person on the date of interview. * On the date of visit. i.e., on 12-05-2026 (Tuesday) from

11.00 A.M. to 02.00 P.M., there were many slots still available for booking for the day (please see Annexure I). * The data for the months of February, March, April and May 2026 (upto 11-052026) shows that there were 1182, 1291, 1135 and 428 slots empty, indicating that there were no bookings for such slots by the Advocates for interview with the inmates (please see Annexure-I]). * The available data suggests that presently adequate shifts and slots are in place for Advocates to interview the inmates at Central Prison-I, Puzhal." Page5 of 7

¶5Learned counsel appearing for respondents 1 to 3 has filed counter affidavit and submitted that the respondents have already taken action to redress the grievance of the petitioner and decided to increase the slots from 6 to 8 which shall be implemented in short time.

¶6In view of the report on the inspection conducted by the fourth respondent as well as the counter affidavit filed by respondents 1 to 3, the grievance of the petitioner stands addressed. Respondents 1 to 3 are directed to increase the slots as agreed at the earliest keeping in mind the grievance of the convict prisoners and allot more slots.

¶7The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN J.) 30-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssk To

¶1The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Prison Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

¶2The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008 Page6 of 7

¶3The Superintendent of prisons, Central prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai-600 066

¶4The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, Represented by its Member Secretary, Having office at, Gate No.6, North Fort Road, High Court Campus, Chennai - 600 104. WPoNo.o6248oofo2026 SUSHRUToARVINDoDHARMADHIKARI,oC.J. AND G.ARULoMURUGAN,oJ. ssk WPoNo.o6248oofo2026 30-06-2026 Page7oofo7

Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 30-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Tamilazhagan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Prison Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009 2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008 3. The Superintendent of prisons, Central prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai-600 066 4. The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, Represented by its Member Secretary, Having office at Gate No.6, North Fort Road, High Court Campus, Chennai - 600 104. (R4 suo motu impleaded vide order dated 27.02.2026 made in WP.6248/2026) ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 12.01.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to give 9 shifts for Page2 of 7 advocate interview with inmates and allot more cabins in the Puzhal Prison-1, Chennai as the very same facilities granted by the Puzhal Prison-2, Chennai. For Petitioner(s): Ms. S.Nadhiya For Respondent(s): Mr. M.Dinesh Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R1 to R3. Mr. Arun Anbumani Standing Counsel for R4.