M.Nandhini 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.282/Muoo/2026, dated 25.03.2026 and for a direction to the first respondent to grant 21 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband, who is a life convict, presently serving sentence at Central Prison, Salem.

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

¶3The petitioner had sought ordinary leave for her husband; however, the same has been rejected by the first respondent on the ground that the petitioner's husband is yet to complete three years of sentence in order to qualify for the grant of ordinary leave. This reason assigned by the first respondent while passing the impugned order is perfectly legal and does not require the interference of this Court.

¶4The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the conjugal rights of the detenue are being denied by invoking the relevant Rule in Tamil Nadu Prison Manual.

¶5This Court, in Meharaj Vs. State of Tamil Nadu reported in 2022 (1) CTC 609, has categorically held that such conjugal rights can never be claimed as a matter of right by a convict and this law governs the field as on today.

¶6In view of the above, there are no grounds to interfere with the order passed by the first respondent. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs.

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

15.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

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

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

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

4.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

5.The Inspector of Police, Avaniapuram Police Station, Madurai District.

6.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.2064oofo2026

15.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.Crl.(MD).No.2064 of 2026 and W.M.P.Crl.(MD) No.515 of 2026 M.Nandhini ...... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Prisons and Correctional Services Department, Coimbatore Range, Coimbatore. 2.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Prisons and Correctional Services Department, Madurai Range, Madurai. 3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Salem. 4.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City. 5.The Inspector of Police, Avaniapuram Police Station, Madurai District. ...... 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.282/Muoo/2026, dated 25.03.2026 and quash the same and consequently directing the 1st and 3rd respondents to grant 21 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband namely Velmurugan, S/o.Karuppanan (PID No. 307655). For Petitioner : Mr.S.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor