Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the authorities to consider and pass orders on a representation, which sought premature release of a life convict.
Justice N.Anand Venkatesh gave the directive on a petition filed by K.V.Komarasamy of Erode, which sought a direction to the authorities to pass necessary orders on the representation made by his son Balu alias Dhanapal, who is a life convict, for his premature release.
Disposing of the petition, the judge directed the Additional Director General of Police to consider the representation and give a report to the State Home Secretary within 4 weeks. Thereafter, the State Home Secretary shall pass necessary orders in accordance with the G.O. Ms 64 dated February 1, 2018 within 6 weeks. Petitioner is also directed to make a fresh representation along with a copy of this order, the judge added.
Petitioner’s counsel E.Aadith Vijay submitted that petitioner’s son Balu alias Dhanapal was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case by a sessions court in Erode on March 3, 2004. This order was confirmed by the Madras high court on August 19, 2006. The petitioner’s son has been serving his sentence at the Cuddalore central prison for the past 14 years. On the occasion of the birth centenary of M.G.Ramachandran, the state government issued an order dated February 1, 2018 providing for premature release of life convicts in the state. Petitioner’s son satisfies the eligibility criteria prescribed in the G.O as he has been imprisoned for over 14 years (the minimum requirement being 10 years). Petitioner’s son does not fall within the excepted list of offences. Therefore, the petitioner’s son sent several representations to the authorities for his premature release. As there was no response, the petitioner filed the present petition, Vijay added.
