L PRAKASH Vs. SUPERINTENDENT PUZHAL CENTRAL PRISON PUZHAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) DR.L.Prakash, the petitioner is a life convict and he is presently confined in Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai. He was found guilty and was sentenced to under go imprisonment as detailed below:-(i) Rigorous imprisonment for seven years and also to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 506(ii) of IPC.(ii) Rigorous imprisonment for ten years and also to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 367of IPC.(iii) Rigorous imprisonment for five years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,00,000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.(iv) Rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.(v) Imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.(vi) Rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.2000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 6 of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.(vii) Rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959.

(2.) HE has approached this Court seeking a direction to the Superintendent of Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai to receive a lap top computer with word processor facility and printer purchased on his behalf and handover the same to him and consequently permit him to put in use of the same. The petitioner is not only sought for relief for a provision of lap top computer for himself, but also a provision of lap top to deserving prisoners, like the petitioner so as to enable them to make their time more productive.

(3.) THE claim of the petitioner is resisted by the respondent firstly on the ground that there are ten computers made available to give training for the prisoners and that Rule 298 of Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 1983, prohibits certain articles and under sub clause (n) to the said Rules "unauthorized writing material" is classified as prohibited articles. THE laptop computer or desk top personal computer for writing books is a prohibited article within the meaning of the said sub rule. Hence, the petitioner is not entitled to have a laptop computer or desk top personal computer of his own for his exclusive use inside the prison.