R. Venkateswaran, v. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Deputy Inspector General of Prison,

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.188/Vu.tha.2/2026 dated 20.02.2026 and consequently grant 21 days ordinary leave without police escort to the petitioner R.Venkateswaran, S/o. Ramesh, Convict No.1504, PID No.41833, Central prison, Madurai forthwith considering the representation dated 28.01.2026

¶2It is the case of the petitioner that he was convicted by the Principal Special Sessions POCSO Court, Sivagangai in S.C. No.18 of 2018 on

30.12.2022 . Aggrieved over the same, the petitioner has not filed any appeal so far. The petitioner submitted an application seeking ordinary leave for a period of 21 days. After considering the request made by the petitioner, the first respondent granted ordinary 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

20.02.2026 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 third respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., and 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. Further the convict shall not disturb the victim or her family members. If any disturbance caused by the convict the third respondent is directed to proceed in accordance with law.

¶4Accordingly, the order of the first respondent dated 20.02.2026 is quashed in sofar as the ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of.

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

26.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No

aav To:

¶1The Deputy Inspector of General of Prisons Madurai Range, Madurai Central Prison Campus Madurai-625 016

¶2The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Madurai District

¶3The Inspector of Police Sivagangai Town Police Station, Sivagangai District

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. oG.K.ILANTHIRAIYANoo,oJo. and oR.POORNIMAoo,oJo. aav W.P.Crl.(MD)oNo.1144oofo2026

26.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :26.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA R.Venkateswaran ... Petitioner -vs- 1. The Deputy Inspector of General of Prisons Madurai Range, Madurai Central Prison Campus Madurai- 625 016 2. The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison, Madurai District 3. The Inspector of Police Sivagangai Town Police Station, Sivagangai District ..Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Certiorarified mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the first respondent in No.188/Vu.tha.2/2026 dated 20.02.2026and quash the same as illegal and void and consequently grant 21 days ordinary leave without police escort to the petitioner R.Venkateswaran, S/o. Ramesh, Convict no.1504, PID No.41833, Central prison, Madurai forthwith considering the representation dated 28.01.2026 For Petitioner : Mr.C.Karthikeyan For Respondents : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor