Saurabh Sharma v. State (Gnct Of Delhi)

$~86 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 4060/2025 & RL.M.A. 36469/2025 SAURABH SHARMA .....Petitioner Through:

Ms. Tanya Agarwal, Mr. Krishna Kumar Keshav & Mr. Gaurav Kumar, Advs.

versus STATE (GNCT OF DELHI) .....Respondent Through:

Mr. Yasir Rauf Ansari, ASC for the State with Mr. Alok Sharma, Adv.

SI Madan Lal, P.S. Domestic Airport.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA

O R D E R

% 08.12.2025 1.

The Petitioner is a life convict in FIR No. 88/2007 registered under Sections 120B/364A/34 IPC at P.S. Palam Airport. 2.

The Petitioner was granted emergency parole by this Court vide order dated 8th June, 2020 in W.P.(CRL.) 828/2020 and was released on 10th June, 2020. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the larger interest of prisoners and public health, the State issued an order dated 27th March, 2020 directing release of all eligible convicts on emergency parole for eight weeks, which was thereafter periodically extended to prevent overcrowding in prisons.

3.

The Petitioner surrendered on 14th March, 2021 pursuant to the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 10/12/2025 at 13:54:46

directions of the High Powered Committee1 and without any adverse report during the parole period.

4.

The Petitioner's limited grievance is that the period between 10th June, 2020 and 14th March, 2021 be counted towards his sentence, in view of the emergent circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the notification of the HPC dated 27th March, 2020. 5.

The issue raised stands squarely covered by the order of a coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(CRL.) 2162/2021, decided on 7th January, 2025, wherein it was held that the emergency parole period granted on account of the pandemic is to be counted towards the total period of sentence. A similar view has also been taken by this Court in W.P.(CRL.) 2223/2025. 6.

In view of the settled position, the petition is allowed. The period from 10th June, 2020 to 14th March, 2021 shall be deemed to be as period of emergency parole and is liable to be excluded in terms of the notification issued by the NCT of Delhi.

7.

The said period would accordingly stands included in the period of sentence.

8.

The Jail Superintendent shall make the necessary amendment/correction in their Nominal Roll.

9.

Copy of the order be sent to the concerned Jail Superintendent for information and compliance.

10.

The petition is disposed of.

SANJEEV NARULA, J DECEMBER 8, 2025/ng 1 "HPC"

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 10/12/2025 at 13:54:46