Manoj Vs State (Nct of Delhi) & Anr. — Delhi HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Manoj Vs State (Nct of Delhi) & Anr. — Delhi HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Sentence Review Board directed to consider the petitioner's case for premature release in its next meeting in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; decision to be taken with due expedition and communicated to the petitioner without undue delay; all rights and contentions of the parties left open.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Sentence Review Board should consider/reconsider the petitioner's case for premature release, given the contention that the impugned decision relied on irrelevant material (an FIR already set aside, a late-surrender punishment already quashed, and the petitioner's acquittal in FIR No.255/2020, PS Sadar Bazaar).

Court's answer

The respondent can be directed to re-consider the case of the petitioner in accordance with law.

Ratio / Principle

Exemption applications CRL.M.A. 19733-19734/2026 (for exemption) allowed subject to all just exceptions and stand disposed of.

Key takeaways

The Sentence Review Board, in its next meeting, shall consider the petitioner's case for premature release in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.ratio¶23
The Sentence Review Board's decision is to be taken with due expedition and communicated to the petitioner without any undue delay.ratio¶24

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Delhi High Court (Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J., order dated 10.07.2026) disposed of W.P.(CRL) 1973/2026 filed by Manoj. Counsel contended that the impugned decision of the respondents rested on irrelevant material: the FIR relied upon had already been set aside, the punishment of late surrender had been quashed by this Court, and the petitioner had been acquitted in FIR No.255/2020, PS Sadar Bazaar vide the judgment of learned ASJ-05, Tis Hazari Courts dated 04.07.2026 in SC No.302/2021. The respondent State, on advance instructions, informed that the last Sentence Review Board meeting was held in June 2026 and a fresh meeting would be held within three months. Finding the petitioner's submission reasonable, the Court directed that the Sentence Review Board, in its next meeting, consider the petitioner's case for premature release in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, take the decision with due expedition and communicate it to the petitioner without undue delay. The petition stands disposed of with all rights and contentions of the parties left open. Companion applications CRL.M.A. 19733-19734/2026 (for exemption) were allowed subject to all just exceptions and disposed of.

$~82

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

- W.P.(CRL) 1973/2026

MANOJ .....Petitioner

Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari and Ms. Nitya Jain, Advocates.

versus

STATE (NCT OF DELHI) & ANR. .....Respondents

Through: Ms. Rupali Bandhopadhya, ASC for State

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

O R D E R

% 10.07.2026

CRL.M.A. 19733-19734/2026 (for exemption)

Exemptions allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

The applications stand disposed of.

W.P.(CRL) 1973/2026

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner points out that in the impugned order, the respondents have considered some irrelevant material, in as much as, the FIR which has been relied upon, has already been set aside and the punishment of late surrender has also been quashed by this Court. She thus, contends that based on some of the irrelevant consideration, the impugned decision has been passed. She also submits that the present petitioner has been acquitted in FIR No.255/2020, PS Sadar

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 16/07/2026 at 12:07:18

Bazaar vide the judgment of learned ASJ-05, Tis Hazari Courts dated 04.07.2026 in SC No.302/2021.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent, on advance instructions, submits that the last meeting of the Sentence Review Board was held in the month of June 2026 and within next three months, a fresh meeting is going to be held.

Bearing in mind the facts and situation, as has been pointed out by the petitioner, the respondent can be directed to re-consider the case of the petitioner in accordance with law.

The submission made on behalf of the petitioner, seems to be reasonable. Accordingly, it is directed that the Sentence Review Board in its next meeting shall consider the case of the petitioner for premature release in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Let the decision be taken by the Sentence Review Board with due expedition and the same be communicated to the petitioner without any undue delay.

With these observations, the instant petition stands disposed of. All rights and contentions of the parties are left open.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J

JULY 10, 2026 Nc

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 16/07/2026 at 12:07:18