Karnataka HC grants murder convict 90-day parole to oversee his farm

Chandra, who has been in prison for the past 11 years, made a representation to the Jail Superintendent, Central Prison, Bengaluru, seeking parole, stating that there is no male member to oversee the agricultural activities of the land, standing in his father’s name at Sidideverahalli village, Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagara district.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted a 90-day parole to a convict so that he can oversee agricultural activities on his father’s land in Ramanagara district. 

The petitioner Chandra, a resident of Sididevarahalli village, was convicted in a 2014 murder case and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2018. 

Chandra, who has been in prison for the past 11 years, made a representation to the Jail Superintendent, Central Prison, Bengaluru, seeking parole.

He stated that there is no male member to oversee the agricultural activities of the land, standing in his father’s name at Sidideverahalli village, Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagara district.

He moved the high court after the representation was rejected by an endorsement dated September 23, 2024. 

Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar allowed the petition, observing that the petitioner has established a prima facie case.

“The petitioner has been in judicial custody for more than 11 years. The petitioner was not released on parole on an earlier occasion. Given the facts and circumstances, the petitioner has established a prima facie case to release him on parole,” the court said. 

The court directed the authorities to release the petitioner on parole for 90 days from the date of release subject to the condition that he should not involve in any unlawful activities during the period of parole. 

“The respondent No 1 (jail superintendent) is at liberty to impose conditions as are usually stipulated to ensure the return of the convict to the prison, and that he shall not commit any other offence during the period of parole. The parole granted stands automatically cancelled if the petitioner violates any of the stipulated conditions. The petitioner to mark his attendance with the jurisdictional police on the first day of every week,” the court said.