Thanuja v. The Government Of Tamil Nadu,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 19.06.2025

CORAM

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

1.The Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Home (Prison IV) Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Additional Director General of Prisons, Thalamuthu Natarajan Maaligai, 2nd Floor, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.

3.The Superintendent of Central Prison, Central Prison, Cuddalore.

.. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant 20 days leave to the petitioner's father detenue namely R.Palanisamy, Life Convict No.16133, detained at Central Prison, Cuddalore without police escort on the basis of petitioner's representation dated 14.06.2025. 1/4

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Krishnamoorthy For Respondents : Mr.E.Raj Thilak Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH, J.) The petitioner has given a representation dated 14.06.2025 to the respondents herein, requesting for grant of 20 days leave to her father, namely R.Palanisamy, S/o.Rajan, Life Convict No.16133, presently confined in Central Prison, Cuddalore. Since the said representation has not been considered till date, the present Writ Petition has been filed. 2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. 3.It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to an Authority, there is a duty cast upon them 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, nonconsideration of the representation by the 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 2/4

direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time. 4.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 herein to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 14.06.2025, if not already disposed of and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the same to the petitioner.

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

(M.S.R., J) (V.L.N., J) 19.06.2025 krk Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No : Yes / No M.S.RAMESH, J.

3/4

and V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

krk To 1.The Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Home (Prison IV) Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Additional Director General of Prisons, Thalamuthu Natarajan Maaligai, 2nd Floor, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.

3.The Superintendent of Central Prison, Central Prison, Cuddalore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

19.06.2025 4/4