Aruna v. State Through, The Principal Secretary,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 09.12.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.P.M.P.Crl.No.57 Aruna ... Petitioner W/o.Somasundaram Vs.
1.
State through The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Home (Prison -IV) Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 9.
2.
The Director General of Prisons, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai - 8.
3.
The Inspector General of Prison, 1/8
Chennai.
4.
The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to release the petitioner's husband namely Somasundaram @ Somu, S/o.Subramanian (C.T.No.571) who is confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai (life Convict Prisoner No.16412) and further directing the respondents to treat the petitioner's husband as an eligible life convict prisoner for premature release by G.O.(Ms) No.488 dated 15.11.2021 by considering petitioner's representation dated 22.08.2025, within the time frame stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.R.Muniyapparaj, Additional Public Prosecutor, assisted by Mr.M.Sylvester John 2/8
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by P.VELMURUGAN, J.,] This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 22.08.2025, wherein and whereby, she has requested the premature release of her husband, Somasundaram @ Somu, S/o.Subramanian (C.T.No.571) (life Convict Prisoner No.16412) presently confined at Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai, and to treat him as an eligible life convict prisoner for premature release in terms of G.O.(Ms) No.488 dated 15.11.2021.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that her husband is a life convict prisoner and had completed more than fifteen years of actual imprisonment. The first respondent, in exercise of its power under Article 161 of the Constitution of India, issued G.O.(Ms) No.488, Home (Prison3/8
IV) Department, dated 15.11.2021, granting premature release to life convicts, who had completed ten years of actual imprisonment as on 15.09.2021. According to the petitioner, her husband had also completed the requisite period as on the said cut-off date and is therefore, entitled to consideration under the aforesaid G.O. Hence, the petitioner has submitted a representation to the respondents seeking such consideration and prays for a direction to dispose of the same.
3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
4. In view of the limited prayer sought for in this writ petition, this writ petition is disposed of directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 22.08.2025 on it own merits and 4/8
pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
(P.V., J.) (M.J.R., J.) 09.12.2025 Internet : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Nonspeaking order ms To 1.
The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Home (Prison -IV) Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 9.
2.
The Director General of Prisons, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai - 8.
3.
The Inspector General of Prison, Chennai.
5/8
4.
The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
5.
The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
6/8
P.VELMURUGAN, J., and M.JOTHIRAMAN, J., ms 7/8
09.12.2025 8/8