SYED SHANTAJ Vs. GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner.

(2.) Our attention is invited to the order dated 23rd March 2020 passed by the Apex Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition (C) No.1/2020. On page 7 of the said order, the Apex Court directed each State/Union Territory to constitute a High Powered Committee of three members headed by the Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority to determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole or an interim bail for such period as may be thought appropriate. Accordingly, a Committee was constituted by the State of Karnataka which is headed by the learned Executive Chairman of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority. The Committee made certain recommendations in its meeting held on 30th March 2020 (Annexure-C).

(3.) The first prayer in this petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short ' Cr.P.C ') is for quashing the decision of the High Powered Committee. The second prayer is a consequential prayer to issue a direction to release all the prisoners in the light of the directions issued by the Apex Court in the aforesaid order.