Thangammal Vethamanickam v. State Of Tamilnadu, Rep By The Home Secretary,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :26.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA and WMP.Crl.(MD) No.298 of 2026 Thangammal Vethamanickam ... Petitioner -vs1. The Home Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai- 600 009
2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Madurai Range Madurai- 625 001
3. The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai 627 007 4.The Inspector of Police South Thamaraikulam Police Station Kanyakumari 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.99/Utha.2/2026 issued by the second respondent dated 02.02.2026 quash the same and consequently direct the third respondent to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son -in-law Bright, S/o.Johnson, PID No.33867 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.99/Utha.2/2026 dated 02.02.2026 and direct the third respondent to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son -in-law Bright, S/o.Johnson, PID No.33867 who is currently lodged at Central Prison, Palayamkottai.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he was convicted by the Principal Sessions Court, Nagercoil in S.C.No.01 of 2011 on 26.04.2017 and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment for the offence under Section 302 of IPC. Aggrieved over the same, the convict has preferred an appeal before this Court in Crl.A(MD) No.198 of 2017 and the same was dismissed by this Court. Against which the convict has preferred SLP Crl.No.2650/2021 before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the conviction was also confirmed. The petitioner submitted an application seeking ordinary leave for a period of 28 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 could not afford the cost for escorts.
3. In view of the above, the condition imposed in the order dated 02.02..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 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 02.02.2026 is quashed in sofar as the ordering escort alone and the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.
[G.K.I., J.] [R.P., J.] 26.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No aav To:
1. The Home Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai- 600 009
2. The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Madurai Range Madurai- 625 001
3. The Superintendent of Prison Central Prison Palayamkottai 627 007 4.The Inspector of Police South Thamaraikulam Police Station Kanyakumari District
5. The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN , J.
and R.POORNIMA , J.
aav 26.02.2026