Navamani v. Home Secretary

O R D E R (Order of the Court was made by

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

) Heard both sides.

¶2The writ petitioner's brother namely, Duraisamy, S/o.Palanisamy, PID 20951, is undergoing life sentence. He is presently housed in the third respondent prison. Even though the convict has undergone more than 12 years imprisonment, he has not applied for ordinary leave so far. For the first time, he sought ordinary leave. His request was granted vide order dated 21.03.2026. However, it was stipulated that the prisoner will be accompanied by a police escort. Aggrieved by the said condition, this writ petition has been filed.

¶3Since the petitioner does not belong to an affluent background, we are conscious of the financial implications imposed upon the prisoner. Considering the overall circumstances, we delete the said condition. However, the convict-prisoner, has to report before the local police station i.e., Annadanampatti Police Station, daily at 7.00 p.m. when he is on leave.

¶4We direct the respondents to grant twenty eight (28) days ordinary leave for the convict without escort.

¶5The writ petition is allowed on the following conditions:~

(a) The convict-prisoner, Duraisamy, S/o.Palanisamy, [PID 20951], now detained at Central Prison, Salem, is granted ordinary leave for twenty eight

(28) days from 27.05.2026 to 23.06.2026 without escort.

(b) The convict prisoner shall be released from the prison at 05.00 p.m., on 26.05.2026 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, Annadanampatti Police Station, Salem District, daily at 07.00 p.m., from

27.05.2026 onwards, without fail.

(d) During the leave period, the convict prisoner shall abide by all the conditions prescribed in the Jail Manual. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [G.R.S.,J.] [V.L.N.,J.]

20.05.2026 Index : Yes/No Speaking order / Non-speaking order ms/mk To

¶1The Home Secretary Home Department (Prison) Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009.

¶2The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Coimbatore Zone, Coimbatore.

¶3The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Salem.

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. Copy to: The Inspector of Police, Annadhanapatti Police Station, Salem District. W.P.(Crl.)oNo.1135oofo2026 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,oJ. AND V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN,oJ. ms/mk o W.P.(Crl)oNo.1135oofo2026 and W.P.M.P.(Crl)oNo.379oofo2026

20.05.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 20.05.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN W.P.(Crl) No.1135 of 2026 and W.P.M.P.(Crl) No.379 of 2026 Navamani W/o.Kandasamy .... Petitioner -vs- 1. The Home Secretary Home Department (Prison) Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Coimbatore Zone, Coimbatore. 3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Salem. .... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the proceedings in No.640/Muu/2026 dated 21.03.2026 by the second respondent and quash the same and direct the second respondent to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to petitioner's brother Duraisamy, S/o.Palanisamy, PID 20951, who is presently confined at Central Prison, Salem. For Petitioner : Ms.R.Bakiyalakshmi For Respondents : Mr.R.Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor