M.Seetha Lakshmi v. The Secretary to the Government,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed for the issue of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pass orders on the representation made by the petitioner on 31.03.2026, wherein the petitioner is seeking for the grant of ordinary leave for her husband, who is a life convict and is presently serving sentence at Central Prison, Palayamkottai.

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

¶3When the matter was taken up for hearing today, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted the proceedings of the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Madurai, dated 30.04.2026. On going through the same, it is seen that the convict has been granted 21 days ordinary leave with escort.

¶4Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the order passed by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Madurai, dated 30.04.2026 and also taking note of the age of the convict (80 years), we are inclined to modify the condition to the effect that the convict will report before the Inspector of Police, Manamadurai Town Police Station, Sivagangai District, daily at 6.00 PM during the entire ordinary leave period. There shall be a further condition to the convict that he shall not give any interview either in print or in electronic media during the entire ordinary leave period.

¶5This Writ Petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs.

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

30.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

1.The Secretary to the Government, Home Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

2.The Inspector General of Prison, Prison Department, Chennai.

3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

4.The Inspector of Police, Pazhayanur Police Station, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Manamadurai Town Police Station, Sivagangai 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.2213oofo2026

30.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.Crl.(MD).No.2213 of 2026 M.Seetha Lakshmi ...... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Secretary to the Government, Home Department, Secretariat, Chennai. 2.The Inspector General of Prison, Prison Department, Chennai. 3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. 4.The Inspector of Police, Pazhayanur Police Station, Sivagangai District. ...... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to pass appropriate orders granting two months leave to the petitioner's husband by name Muthiah @ Muthu Servai who is presently confined as a life convict vide Convict No.5000 in the 3rd respondent's prison pursuant to the judgment delivered by this Court in C.A.(MD) No.860 of 2022, dated 27.02.2026 while confirming the judgment of Special Court for Exclusively Trial of Cases under the SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989 and by considering the petitioner's representation dated 31.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.Anand.R For Respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor