82-Year-Old Who Spent 20 Years in Jail Seeks Premature Release, HC Says It's Govt's Call

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reaffirmed that the power to grant premature release lies at the discretion of the government, the Governor, and the President under Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Articles 161 and 72 of the Constitution, and directed authorities to reconsider a fresh representation from a life convict seeking early release.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Madurai

The 82-year-old petitioner, Paul, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1994 in a murder case. While out on bail, he committed a second murder and was awarded another life sentence in 2005. His appeals against both convictions were dismissed by the Madras High Court. His son had earlier petitioned for premature release, following which the high court directed authorities to consider the plea. However, prison officials rejected the reques