RANJIT SINGH Vs. UNION TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION CHANDIGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India relates to release of the petitioner on furlough for a period of two weeks under Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1962 (hereinafter referred to as the Act).

(2.) In brief, the facts relevant for the disposal of this petition, are that the petitioner was convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, by the Sessions Judge, Chandigarh, and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life, on 6th March, 1979. He was released on parole from 1st October, 1980 to 30th October, 1980 and, during this period he committed another murder, in which he was again convicted and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life on 9th September 1981.

(3.) Furlough has been sought mainly on the ground that the subsequent behaviour of the petitioner, during the period he underwent the imprisonment, was quite good, and, he has been released on furlough on two more occasions, i.e. 5th January, 1986 to 20th January, 1986, and 9th October, 1987 to 24th October, 1987. The fact that the petitioner was granted emergency parole/furlough on three occasions after the second conviction has not been denied by the State.