Saritha v. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Principal Secretary to Government,

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the impugned proceedings of the third respondent made in No.RO-TRY/267/2026-CA dated 19.06.2026, wherein the petitioner is aggrieved by the condition imposed by the third respondent while granting 21 days ordinary leave to the effect that the convict will be accompanied by an escort during the entire leave period.

¶2Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side) appearing on behalf of the respondents.

¶3The petitioner's husband is a life convict, who is presently undergoing sentence at Central Prison, Trichy. A representation was made by the petitioner seeking for ordinary leave and the same was considered by the 3rd respondent through the impugned proceedings dated 19.06.2026, but however, while granting 21 days ordinary leave, the 3rd respondent imposed the condition that the convict will be accompanied by an escort. This condition has been put to challenge in the present Writ Petition.

¶4The learned Counsel for the State of TN (Crl.Side), on instructions, submitted that the convict has undergone sentence of 4 years, 4 months and 22 days and he was granted emergency leave twice earlier.

¶5Taking into consideration the submissions made on either side and considering the reason, for which the ordinary leave has been sought for, we are inclined to modify the condition imposed by the third respondent to the effect that the convict shall report before the 5th respondent daily at 5.00 PM during the entire ordinary leave period. The other conditions imposed by the third respondent shall stand as they are and the sureties shall be executed before the jail authorities.

¶6This Writ Petition (Criminal) is allowed with the above directions. No costs.

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

23.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Home (Prison-IV) Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Director General of Prisons, Tamil Nadu Prisons Headquarters Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.

3.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Trichy Range, Race Course Road, Trichy-620 023.

4.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Trichy-620 020.

5.The Inspector of Police, Vedasandur Police Station, Dindigul 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.3355oofo2026

23.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.Crl.(MD) No.3355 of 2026 Saritha ...... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary to Government, Home (Prison-IV) Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Director General of Prisons, Tamil Nadu Prisons Headquarters Whannels Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. 3.The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Trichy Range, Race Course Road, Trichy-620 023. 4.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Trichy-620 020. 5.State of Tamilnadu, Represented by the Inspector of Police, Vedasandur Police Station, Dindigul District. ...... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned order of the 3rd respondent in No.RO- TRY/267/2026-CA dated 19.06.2026 and quash the same as illegal and void, consequently grant 21 days ordinary leave without police escort to Raju, S/o.Krishnan, (PID No.370237) confined at Central Prison, Trichy, forthwith considering the representation dated 04.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Karthikeyan For Respondents : Mr.T.Lenin Kumar Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side)