Hemalatha v. The Superintendent Of Prison

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 08.07.2025 CORAM :

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

1.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Vellore 2.The Inspector of Police Vettavalam Police Station Tiruvannamalai District ... 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 provide adequate strong escort to the petitioner's husband namely Muthukumar during the appearance of Court and to consider and dispose the petitioner's representation dated 18.06.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Murugavel 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 provide adequate strong escort to the petitioner's husband namely Muthukumar during his appearance before the Court and also to consider and dispose the petitioner's representation dated 18.06.2025.

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

3. 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.

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 respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 18.06.2025, seeking for escort 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.

5. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. [M.S.R, J.] [V.L.N, J.] 08.07.2025 kas Note: Issue Order Copy on 11.07.2025 M.S.RAMESH, J.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

kas To 1.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Vellore 2.The Inspector of Police Vettavalam Police Station Tiruvannamalai District 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras Chennai 600 104 08.07.2025