Muthupandi.K v. The Home Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA and WMP(Crl.)MD No.267 of 2026 Muthupandi ... Petitioner -vs1.The Home Secretary, Home Department (Prison) Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat St. George Fort Chennai - 9.
2.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison Madurai Range, 3.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai 4.The Inspector Of Police Puliyarai Police Station Tenkasi District ..Respondents
PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Certiorarified mandamus calling for the records relating to the proceedings in No.144/Utha.2/2025 dated 10.02.2026 issued by the second respondent quash the same and consequently direct the third respondent to grant 21 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband Karuppasamy, S/o.Velu bearing PID No.126462 who is currently lodged at Central Prison, Palayamkottai.
For Petitioner :
Mr.P.M. Basil For Respondents :
Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.] The prayer in the petition is to quash the impugned order passed by the second respondent in No.144/Utha.2/2025 dated 10.02.2026 and direct the third respondent to grant 21 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband Karuppasamy, S/o.Velu bearing PID No.126462 who is currently lodged at Central Prison, Palayamkottai.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that her husband was convicted by the Special Court for POCSO Act Cases, Tirunelveli in S.C. No.06 of 2020 on 28.02.2023 and sentenced to undergo ten years rigorous imprisonment . Aggrieved over the same, her husband has not filed any appeal so far. The petitioner submitted an application seeking ordinary leave for a period of 21 days. After considering the request made by the petitioner, the second respondent granted ordinary leave to the convict with escort.. The petitioner being a poor person, she could not afford the cost for escorts.
3. In view of the above, the condition imposed in the order dated 10.02.2026 directing the convict to go on ordinary leave with escort is modified and the convict shall go on ordinary leave without escort. However, the convict is directed to comply with the usual conditions imposed by the jail authorities and he should also report before the fourth respondent police daily at 10.30 am., and 05.30 p.m. till the completion of leave period. He shall duly comply with the conditions and return to the prison on expiry of the leave period.
4. Accordingly, the order of the second respondent dated 10.02.2026 is quashed in sofar as the ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition stands closed. Further the convict shall not cause any disturbance to the victim or her family members. If any complaint lodge by the victim the fourth respondent is directed to proceed in accordance with law.
[G.K.I., J.] [R.P., J.] 24.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No aav To:
1.The Home Secretary, Home Department (Prison) Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat St. George Fort Chennai - 9.
2.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison Madurai Range, 3.The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai
4.The Inspector Of Police Puliyarai Police Station Tenkasi District
5. The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court,
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN , J.
and R.POORNIMA , J.
aav 24.02.2026