Dhanlakshmi v. The State of Tamilnadu

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.126/Vu.tha.2/2026 dated 06.02.2026 and direct the respondents 1 and 2 to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son namely Manikandan, S/o. Lakshmanan, convict prisoner (CP No.6022, PID No.203593) now confined under Central Prison, Madurai.

¶2It is the case of the petitioner that her son was convicted by the Fast Track Mahila Court, Theni in S.C. No.95 of 2015 on 27.11.2020 and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment. Aggrieved over the same, the convict has also preferred an appeal before this Court in Crl.A(MD) No.154 of 2021 and the same was dismissed by this Court on 22.12.2023. The petitioner submitted an application seeking ordinary leave for a period of 28 days. After considering the request made by the petitioner, the first respondent granted emergency leave to the convict with escort.. The petitioner being a poor person could not afford the cost for escorts.

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

06.02.2026 directing the convict to go on ordinary leave with escort is modified and the convict shall go on ordinary leave without escort commencing from25.02.2026. 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 06.02.2026 is quashed in sofar as the ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.

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

17.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No

aav To:

1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Prisons and Correctional Services Department, Madurai Range,Madurai.

2.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison,Madurai

¶3The Superintendent of Police Theni District

4.The Inspector Of Police Thevaram Police Station Theni 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.885oofo2026

17.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA and WMP(Crl.)MD No.234 of 2026 Dhanalakshmi ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Prisons and Correctional Services Department, Madurai Range,Madurai. 2.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison,Madurai 3. The Superintendent of Police Theni District 4.The Inspector Of Police Thevaram Police Station Theni 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.126/Vu.tha.2/2026 dated 06.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son namely Manikandan, S/o. Lakshmanan, convict prisoner (CP No.6022, PID No.203593) now confined under Central Prison, Madurai. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor