Ramadevi v. The Home Secretary, Home Department (Prison),

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN W.P.Crl.(MD).No.2309 of 2026 Ramadevi ......

Petitioner Vs.

1.The Home Secretary, Home Department (Prison), 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, Thalamuthunagar Police Station, Tuticorin District.

...... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the proceedings in No.5432/thaku.2/2025 dated 16.04.2026 issued by the 3rd respondent, quash the same and consequently direct the 3rd

respondent to grant six days emergency leave without escort to the petitioner's husband Panneer Selvam, S/o.Karuppasamy, bearing PID No. 406477, aged 77, who is currently lodged at Central Prison, Palayamkottai. For Petitioner : Mr.P.M.Basil For Respondents : Mr.A.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the 3rd respondent made in No.5432/Thaku.2/2025, dated 16.04.2026, wherein the 3rd respondent, while granting six days emergency leave, imposed the condition that the detenue will be accompanied by an escort. This condition has been put to challenge.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.

3. The petitioner's husband was convicted for offences under the NDPS Act and is presently serving the sentence at Central Prison,

Palayamkottai. A representation was made by the petitioner seeking emergency leave on the ground that she is facing serious health issues and she requires the physical and emotional support of the detenue. The said representation was considered by the 3rd respondent and emergency leave was granted for six days; however, a condition was imposed to the effect that the detenue will be accompanied by an escort. This condition has been put to challenge.

4. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the reason for which, the emergency leave has been sought for, we are inclined to modify the condition to the effect that the convict will report before the 4th respondent daily at 6.00 p.m. during the entire period of emergency leave. The other conditions imposed by the third respondent shall remain as they are.

5. This Writ Petition (Criminal) is allowed with the above directions. No costs.

6. Post this case under the caption for reporting compliance on 02.06.2026.

[N.A.V., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.] 22.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Indu To 1.The Home Secretary, Home Department (Prison), 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, Thalamuthunagar Police Station, Tuticorin District.

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

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.

AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J.

Indu W.P.Crl.(MD).No.2309 of 2026 22.04.2026