HC quashes Govt guidelines on parole for life convicts

Kochi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today criticised the practice of en masse release of life convicts, resorted to by the State Government at present, and set aside a Government order of 2003, prescribing guidelines for premature release of life convicts.

A Division Bench Consisting of Justice J B Koshy and Justice Padmanabha Nair ruled that premature release could be given only in exceptional cases.

The court also directed a vigilance inquiry into the allegations of corruption and nepotism by officers of central prisons and directed that the wooden complaint boxes in the jails be replaced with tamper proof metal boxes within three months.

It also directed that close circuit televisions be placed in the central prisons and district jails.

The court said either a convict or his or her relative can file an application before the Government for premature release and each case shall be dealt with individually. Only in rare cases, the Government can consider the case suo moto and recommend to the Governor.

The court directed the Government to reconstitute the Jail Advisory Board and said it should convene its meeting every six months. The Board shall recommend the cases to the Government for premature release and the Government shall take a decision within three months.

The court had taken up the matter suo moto following allegations of corruption and nepotism in the release of life convicts on parole by the Government.

UNI XR ARC RL RN2053