Pavithra v. The Deputy Inspector General of Prison,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the first respondent made in No.621/Utha.2/2025 dated 17.03.2026 and for a direction to the first and second respondents to grant 21 days ordinary leave to the convict without escort.

¶2Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.

¶3The petitioner is the wife of the convict. The convict is presently serving life sentence at Central Prison, Madurai. A representation was made by the petitioner seeking 21 days ordinary leave on the ground that the convict's mother is suffering from various age-related health issues and she requires immediate treatment. Apart from that, he must also arrange for funds for the children's education.

¶4The representation made by the petitioner came to be rejected by the first respondent through the impugned proceedings dated

17.03.2026 on the ground that there is one pending case against the convict in S.C.No.426 of 2018 on the file of the VI Additional District and Sessions Court, Madurai. Aggrieved by the same, the present Writ Petition has been filed before this Court.

¶5The learned Additional Public Prosecutor, on instructions, submitted that the convict has undergone sentence for 4 years, 2 months, and 24 days. He further submitted that the convict was granted emergency leave on two earlier occasions.

¶6Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the reason for which, the ordinary leave has been sought for and taking note of the fact that the convict was earlier granted emergency leave twice and the conditions were complied with and nothing untoward took place, we are inclined to interfere with the impugned proceedings of the first respondent dated 17.03.2026 and the same is hereby quashed. There shall be a direction to the first respondent to grant 21 days ordinary leave to the convict without Police escort and the convict shall report before the 4th respondent Police every day at 6.00 PM during the entire ordinary leave period.

¶7In the result, this Writ Petition is allowed. No costs.

[N.A.V., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]

29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, O/o. the Deputy Inspector General of Prison and Correctional Services Department, New Jail Road, Madurai.

2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Madurai.

3.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

4.The Inspector of Police, Subramaniyapuram Police Station, Madurai City.

5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. N.ANANDoVENKATESH,oJ. AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN,oJ. Indu W.P.Crl.(MD).No.1818oofo2026

29.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.Crl.(MD).No.1818 of 2026 Pavithra ...... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, O/o. the Deputy Inspector General of Prison and Correctional Services Department, New Jail Road, Madurai. 2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Madurai. 3.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City. 4.The Inspector of Police, Subramaniyapuram Police Station, Madurai City. ...... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the order passed by the 1st respondent in No.621/Utha.2/2025 dated 17.03.2026 and quash the same and consequently directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to grant 21 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband namely Prakash, S/o.Chellamuthu (PID No.17336, CP No.5831) now confined under the Central Prison, Madurai. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor