Shanthi Vs The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

Shanthi Vs The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Ordinary leave of 28 days granted to the convict Dheena @ Dinesh by order dated 17.03.2026 produced before the Court; writ petition and connected miscellaneous petition closed as their purpose stands achieved.

Issue for consideration

Whether the order dated 22.01.2026 of respondent no.1 rejecting ordinary leave should be quashed and the respondents directed to grant 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son, convict Dheena @ Dinesh.

Court's answer

Interim decision (order dated 10.03.2026): respondent no.1 was directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.11.2025 in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 and pass orders within a week.

Ratio / Principle

Final decision (18.03.2026): in view of order dated 17.03.2026 granting the convict 28 days ordinary leave as requested, the writ petition is closed as its purpose stands achieved, and the connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (Coram: Dr. Justice Anita Sumanth and Mr. Justice Sunder Mohan), WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026, decided 18-03-2026 - Shanthi v. (1) Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and (2) Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison-I, Puzhal. Writ petition under Article 226 sought certiorarified mandamus to quash order no. 27/mu.uu.1/2026 dt. 22.01.2026 of the DIG of Prisons rejecting ordinary leave, and to direct grant of 28 days ordinary leave without escort to the petitioner's son, Dheena @ Dinesh, S/o.Balan, aged about 33 years, PID No. 34330, Convict Prisoner, Central Prison, Puzhal. By interim order dated 10.03.2026, the Court, on the Additional Public Prosecutor (Mr. R. Muniyapparaj, assisted by Mr. M. Sylvester John) stating that the petitioner had become eligible, directed respondent no.1 to consider her representation dated 24.11.2025 in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 and pass orders within a week. On 18.03.2026 the Court recorded production of order dated 17.03.2026 granting the convict ordinary leave of 28 days as requested, and closed the writ petition and the connected miscellaneous petition (WPMP Crl. No. 158 of 2026) as their purpose stood achieved.

2026:MHC:1132

WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH

AND

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN

WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026 AND WPMP CRL. NO. 158 OF 2026

Shanthi

W/o.Balan, No. 698, Periyar Nagar, 3^rd Street, J.J.Nagar, Korukkupettai, Chennai - 600 021.

..Petitioner(s)

Vs

The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Prison Head Quarters, Egmore, Chennai.

The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai 600 066.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records in the order no. 27/mu.uu.1/2026 dt. 22.01.2026 passed by respondent no.1 and quashing the same, and directing the respondents to grant 28 days ordinary leave by without escort for the petitioner’s son namely Dheena @ Dinesh, S/o.Balan aged about

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WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026

33 years, PID No. 34330 Convict Prisoner, Central Prison, Puzhal and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s): Ms.S.Nadhiya

For Respondent(s): Mr. R. Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor Assisted By Mr. M. Sylvester John

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by Dr.Anita Sumanth J.)

Read this order in continuation of and in conjunction with order dated

10.03.2026 that reads as follows:

Mr.R.Muniyapparaj, learned Additional Public Prosecutor assisted by Mr.M.Sylvester John, learned counsel accepts notice for the respondents and submit that the rejection order was passed on account of the ineligibility of the petitioner to the leave sought at that relevant point in time. However, the petitioner is so eligible today.

2. Hence, there is a direction to R1 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 24.11.2025 in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 and pass orders within a week from today.

3. List on 18.03.2026 under the caption ‘for production of orders’.

Today, a copy of order dated 17.03.2026 is produced, in terms of

which ordinary leave of 28 days has been granted to the convict as requested by

him. A copy of the order is placed on record and is handed over to the learned counsel for the petitioner as well.

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WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026

In light of the aforesaid, this Writ Petition is closed as its purpose

stands achieved. Connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

(A.S.M.,J.) (S.M.,J.) 18-03-2026

sl

Index: Yes/No Speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes

To

The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Prison Head Quarters, Egmore, Chennai.

The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison-I, Puzhal, Chennai 600 066.

The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026

DR.ANITA SUMANTH J.

AND

SUNDER MOHAN J.

sl

WP Crl. No. 529 of 2026 AND WPMP CRL. NO. 158 OF 2026

18-03-2026

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