Rajendra @ Goru vs State And Ors

The instant writ petition has been preferred on behalf of the convict-petitioner Rajendra @ Goru, whose application for release on second parole of 30 days has been rejected by the District Parole Advisory Committee, Hanumangarh vide its minutes dated 30.05.2019.

The Parole Advisory Committee assigned the following reasons for rejecting the parole application of the convict-petitioner.

"अतः जहॉ विधायिका ने आजीवन कारावास के दण्ड का अर्थ उस व्यक्ति के शेष जीवन के लिए पावधान किया है, ऐसे व्यक्ति को पैरोल पर रिहा नहीं किया जाना चाहिए।

पैरोल नियम, 1958 के नियम-9 में यह प्रावधान किया है कि प्रथम पैरोल बंदी द्वारा एक चौथाई सजा के भुगतने पर प्रदान की जा सकती है। जिन अवस्थाओं में किसी व्यक्ति को आजीवन कारावास के दण्ड से दण्डित किया गया है एवं सम्बन्धित विधि में आजीवन कारावास से आशय व्यक्ति के प्राकृत जीवन से है तो ऐसी अवस्था में उस बंदी द्वारा सजा का एक चौथाई भाग भुगते जाने की गणना किया जाना संभव नहीं है। अतः ऐसी अवस्था में उक्त पैरोल नियमों में पैरोल पदान नहीं किया जा सकता है।"

It is pleaded at Para No.3 of the writ petition that it was the application for grant of second regular parole filed on behalf of convict which was rejected by the District Parole Advisory Committee. Suffice it to say that in this background, consideration of the circumstances prevailing during the first parole period of the convict was absolutely imperative.

This Court has time and again observed that a mechanical rejection of the parole applications as above creates unnecessary burden on the Courts and amounts to unlawful deprivation of the liberty of the convict which in turn would be in breach of the fundamental right of liberty conferred by the Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Despite that the Parole Advisory Committee acted in an absolutely mechanical and lackadaisical manner observing that if the convict is released on parole, the possibility of adverse effect being created in the society could not be ruled out. We deprecate the approach of the District Parole Advisory Committee, Hanumangarh.

The writ petition is accordingly allowed. The adverse recommendation dated 30.05.2019 are quashed and struck down qua the convict-petitioner. He shall be released on second parole of 30 days upon furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- with two sound and solvent sureties of Rs.40,000/-each to the satisfaction of Superintendent Central, Jail, Hanumangarh on the usual terms and conditions. The Superintendent, Central Jail, Hanumangarh shall be at liberty to impose other adequate and reasonable conditions to ensure return of the convict to the custody after availing the parole. The term of parole shall be computed from the date of his actual release.

We also direct that the District Magistrate, Hanumangarh shall remain personally present in the Court on the next date to show cause as to why, he should not be directed to pay compensation to the convict for wrongful and arbitrary rejection of his second parole, as above.

List on 18.09.2019.