Gunadevi v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R. POORNIMA and W.M.P.Crl(MD)No.277 of 2026 Gunadevi ... Petitioner -vs1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Prison and Correctional Services Department, Madurai Range, Madurai.

2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Madurai.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Uchipuli Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

... Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the order passed by the first respondent in No.125/c.j.2/2025 dated 06.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently directing the first and second respondents to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's husband namely Mari, S/o.Kannusamy, life convict prisoner (PID No.60515). For Petitioner :

Mr.S.Srikanth 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.] This writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the first respondent, dated 06.02.2026, thereby, granted 28 days ordinary leave with escort.

2. The petitioner's husband is convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 of IPC and sentenced him to undergo life imprisonment in S.C.No.70 of 2016, on the file of the Principal District Sessions Court, Ramanathapuram.

Aggrieved against the same, the petitioner's husband preferred an appeal in Crl.A(MD)No.104 of 2018 before this Court and this Court confirmed the conviction and sentence awarded by the trial Court on 18.09.2020. While being so, the petitioner has submitted a representation seeking 28 days ordinary leave to her husband without escort. After considering the request made by the petitioner, the first respondent granted 28 days ordinary leave to the petitioner's husband with escort. The petitioner is facing financial problems and hence, she could not afford cost for the escorts.

3. In view of the above, the condition imposed in the order dated 06.02.2026 directing the petitioner's husband to go on ordinary leave with escort is modified and he 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 Inspector of Police, Uchipuli Police Station, Ramanathapuram District daily evening at 05.30 p.m. He shall duly comply with the conditions and return to the prison on expiry of the leave period.

4. Accordingly, the order of the third respondent dated 06.02.2026 is quashed in sofar as ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [G.K.I., J.] [R.P., J.] 25.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No am

To:

1.The Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Prison and Correctional Services Department, Madurai Range, Madurai.

2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Madurai.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Uchipuli Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

5. The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Madurai.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN , J.

and R. POORNIMA , J.

am 25.02.2026