Keerthana v. The State Rep By Its The Deputy Inspector General Of Prison

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 05.06.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN Keerthana ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by its, 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison Coimbatore Range Coimbatore 641 018 2.The Superintendent Coimbatore Central Prison Coimbatore 641 018 ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant ordinary leave for 21 days without escort to the detenu, Tamizhnesan, S/o.Subramaniyan, aged about 38 years, bearing Convict No.23418, confined at Central Prison at Coimbatore. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Bakiyaraj

For Respondents : Mr.E.Raj Thilak Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

M.S.RAMESH, J.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

This Writ Petition has been filed praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant ordinary leave for 21 days without escort to the detenu, Tamizhnesan, S/o.Subramaniyan, aged about 38 years, bearing Convict No.23418, confined at Central Prison at Coimbatore.

2. The petitioner's husband is convicted U/s.5 TNPID Act, and sentenced to undergo 10 years imprisonment and U/s.420 IPC, he was sentenced to 3 years in C.C.No.21 of 2012 dated 05.08.2021 on the file of the Special Judge, Special Court under TNPID Act, Coimbatore. The petitioner's 1st son is aged about 3 years and joining the school newly, for which purpose the presence of her husband is required. He will make arrangement for his school fees. Hence, she has given a representation dated 19.05.2025 seeking 21 days ordinary leave to her husband,

enabling her to get the school fee for her son. Since the same has not been considered till date, the petitioner has come forward with this Writ Petition.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent.

4. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondents to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

5. In view of the above observation, this Court, without going into

the merits of the petitioner's representation or the contentions of the petitioner in the affidavit filed in support of this Writ Petition, directs the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 19.05.2025, seeking for ordinary leave to the convict prisoner, if not already disposed of and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the same to the petitioner.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

[M.S.R, J.] [V.L.N, J.] 05.06.2025 kas Index: Yes / No Note: Issue Order Copy on 11.06.2025

To 1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison Coimbatore Range Coimbatore 641 018 2.The Superintendent Coimbatore Central Prison Coimbatore 641 018 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras Chennai 600 104

M.S.RAMESH, J.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

kas 05.06.2025