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

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.07.2025 CORAM :

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

The State represented by its 1.The Deputy Inspector of General of Prison Coimbatore Zone Coimbatore 2.The Superintendent Open Prison, Ondiputhur Coimbatore District 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 21 days of ordinary leave without escort to the detenu, Murugesan, S/o.Kanthasamy, aged about 54 years bearing Convict No.1266 and PID No.418552 at Open Prison, Ondiputhur, Coimbatore. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Pandiyan

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

ORDER

M.S.RAMESH, J.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant 21 days of ordinary leave without escort to the detenu viz. Murugesan, S/o.Kanthasamy, aged about 54 years bearing Convict No.1266 and PID No.418552 at Open Prison, Ondiputhur, Coimbatore, considering the representation of the petitioner dated 10.06.2025.

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 10.06.2025, seeking for ordinary leave of 21 days to the convict prisoner, without escort, 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.

M.S.RAMESH, J.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

kas

5. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. [M.S.R, J.] [V.L.N, J.] 15.07.2025 kas Index: Yes/No Speaking / Non Speaking Note: Issue Order Copy on 17.07.2025 To 1.The Deputy Inspector of General of Prison Coimbatore Zone Coimbatore 2.The Superintendent Open Prison, Ondiputhur Coimbatore District 641 018 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras Chennai 600 104