Murugesan Ramasamy v. The State Of Tamilnadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 01-07-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Murugesan Ramasamy S/o.Ramasamy, No.31, Sangeetha Nagar, Thiruneelakandan Nagar, 3rd street, Puzhal, Tiruvallur, Puzhal, Tamilnadu-600 066.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu, Home Department (Prison), Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600009.
2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Chennai Range, Chennai.
3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai.
..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus or order or direction in the nature of Writ, calling for the records relating to the proceedings of the 3rd respondent dated 23.03.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to grant 21 days ordinary leave to the petitioner's brother Shanmuganathan, S/o.Ramasamy, aged 53 years (Life Convict Prisoner No.8326 (PID No.314105), confined at Central Prison-I,Puzhal, Chennai. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.N.Nagarjuna For Respondent(s):
Mr.C.R. Malarvannan, Counsel For Government Of Tamil Nadu (criminal Side)
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.) The challenge is to order dated 23.03.2026 wherein the request of the convict one Shanmuganathan, S/o. Ramasamy, confined in Central Prison I, Puzhal, Chennai has been granted ordinary leave of 21 days, though with escort.
2. The grievance of the petitioner is restricted to the imposition of condition relating to escort alone.
3. We have heard Mr.N.Nagarjuna, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.C.R.Malarvannan, learned Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) for the respondents.
4. We find that the convict has been granted leave on one occasion by order of this Court in WP No. 35414 of 2024 dated 3.12.2024 between 09.12.2024 and 29.12.2024 that too without escort. The reason for imposition of the condition this time is that it is the first occasion that the authorities are granting leave when, as a matter of routine, they has imposed condition of escort.
5. Mr.Malarvannan, on instructions, does not very seriously contest the writ petition for the reason that, in fact, it is not the first time the convict is going on leave and he has been granted leave under order of this Court. Hence order dated 23.3.2026 to the extent to which it imposes condition of leave with escort is modified. Barring the same all other conditions imposed remain.
6. Accordingly, impugned order dated 23.03.2026, to the extent to which an escort has been provided, is set aside and ordinary leave of 21 days without escort is granted, though on the following conditions: (i)The respondents are directed to release the convict viz., Shanmuganathan, S/o.Ramasamy, aged about 53 years, confined at Central Prison I, Puzhal, Chennai, on ordinary leave for a period of twenty one (21) days without escort i.e., from 02.07.2026 to 22.07.2026.
(ii)The convict shall be released on 02.07.2026 at 10.00 A.M. and is directed to surrender before the Superintendent of Prisons, Central Prison I, Puzhal, Chennai, on 23.07.2026 before 10.00 A.M. (iii)The convict shall report before the M3 - Puzhal Police Station, Chennai, everyday at 10.30 A.M, during the period of leave. (iv)During the leave period, the Convict Prisoner shall abide by all the conditions prescribed in the Jail Manual.
7. This writ petition stands allowed. No costs. (A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 01-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking order SSM Note to Registry : Issue Today To
1. The Home Department (Prison),
Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600009.
2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Chennai Range, Chennai.
3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai.
4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
DR.ANITA SUMANTH J.
AND SUNDER MOHAN J.
SSM 01-07-2026