Muthulakshmi v. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.] The prayer in the petition is to quash the impugned order passed by the first respondent in No.1264/Utha.2/2025 dated 15.12.2025 and direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband namely Ramachandran, S/o. Nadarajan, Life Convict Prisoner (PID No.78645) now confined under the Superintendent of Prison, Madurai/second respondent herein.

¶2It is the case of the petitioner that her husband was convicted by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Ramanathapuram in Spl.S.C. No.95 of 2018 on 02.08.2019 and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment for the offence under Section 302 of IPC. Aggrieved over the same, her husband has also filed an appeal before this Court in Crl.A(MD) No.226 of 2022 and the same is pending. The petitioner being wife of the convict submitted an application seeking ordinary leave for a period of 28 days. After considering the request made by the petitioner, the second respondent granted ordinary leave to the convict with escort.. The petitioner being a poor person, she could not afford the cost for escorts.

¶3In view of the above, the condition imposed in the order dated

15.12.2025 directing the convict to go on ordinary leave with escort is modified and the convict shall go on ordinary leave without escort. However, the convict is directed to comply with the usual conditions imposed by the jail authorities and he should also report before the fourth respondent police daily at 05.30 p.m. till the completion of leave period. He shall duly comply with the conditions and return to the prison on expiry of the leave period.

¶4Accordingly, the order of the first respondent dated 15.12.2025 is quashed in sofar as the ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of.

[G.K.I., J.] [R.P., J.]

05.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No

aav To:

1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison and correctional services Department Madurai Region Madurai.

2.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Madurai.

3.The Superintendent of Police Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Inspector of Police Kenikarai Police Station Ramanathapuram District

¶5The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. oG.K.ILANTHIRAIYANoo,oJo. and oR.POORNIMAoo,oJo. aav W.P.Crl.(MD)oNo.600oofo2026

05.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA Muthulakshmi ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison and correctional services Department Madurai Region Madurai. 2.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Madurai. 3.The Superintendent of Police Ramanathapuram District. 4.The Inspector of Police Kenikarai Police Station Ramanathapuram District ..Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Certiorarified mandamus calling for the records of the order passed by the first respondent in No.1264/Utha.2/2025 dated 15.12.2025 and quash the same and consequently directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband namely Ramachandran, S/o. Nadarajan, Life Convict Prisoner (PID No.78645) now confined under the Superintendent of Prison, Madurai/second respondent herein. For Petitioner : Mrs.S.Prabha For Respondents : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor