Search By Topic: Premature Release/ Probation

2. (SC) 18-02-2025

A. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 473 – Constitution of India, Article 21 – Pre-mature release -- When the Presiding officer's opinion is sought, the Presiding Officer must submit his opinion at the earliest considering the fact that the issue of liberty of the convict is involved.

(Para 20)

B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 473 – Constitution of India, Article 21 – Pre-mature release -- Duty of Government -- It is the obligation of the appropriate Government to consider cases of all convicts for grant of premature release as and when they become eligible for consideration in terms of the policy -- It is not necessary for the convict or his relatives to make a specific application for grant of permanent remission -- District Legal Services Authorities shall maintain the relevant date of the convicts and as and when they become eligible to a consideration for grant of premature release, they shall do the needful -- The State Legal Services Authorities shall endeavour to create a portal on which the data as aforesaid can be uploaded on real time basis.

(Para 21(a)(g))

C. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 473 – Constitution of India, Article 21 – Pre-mature release – Policy for -- States and Union Territories that do not have a policy dealing with the grant of remission in terms of Section 432 of the CrPC or Section 473 of the BNSS to formulate a policy within two months.

(Para 21(b))

D. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 473 – Constitution of India, Article 21 – Pre-mature release – Speaking order -- Communication of -- Order granting or refusing the relief of permanent remission must contain brief reasons -- The order containing reasons should be immediately communicated to the convict through the office of the concerned prison -- The copies thereof should be forwarded to the Secretaries of the concerned District Legal Services Authorities -- It is the duty of the prison authorities to inform the convict that he has the right to challenge the order of rejection of the prayer for the grant of remission.

(Para 21(d))

E. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 473 – Constitution of India, Article 21 – Pre-mature release – Remission – Cancellation of – Opportunity of hearing -- An order granting permanent remission cannot be withdrawn or cancelled without giving an opportunity of being heard to the convict -- An order of cancellation of permanent remission must contain brief reasons.

(Para 21(e))

13. (SC) 30-09-2020

Constitution of India, Article 72, 161 -- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 432 -- Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 364-A – United Provinces Prisoners Release on Probation Act, 1938 (UP Act 8 of 1938), Section 2 -- Offence of kidnapping for ransom – Sentenced for life imprisonment – Pre-mature release/ Probation – Right of -- No convict can claim remission as a matter of right -- However, in the case, the circumstances are different – Length of the sentence or the gravity of the original crime can’t be the sole basis for refusing premature release – Any assessment regarding predilection to commit crime upon release must be based on antecedents as well as conduct of the prisoner while in jail, and not merely on his age or apprehensions of the victims and witnesses – Conduct of both petitioners has been more than satisfactory -- They have no material criminal antecedents, and have served almost 16 years in jail (22 years including remission) -- During the course of his incarceration in jail he has pursued as many as eight distance-learning courses -- A balance between individual and societal welfare can be struck by granting the petitioners conditional premature release, subject to their continuing good conduct -- This would both ensure that liberty of the petitioners is not curtailed, nor that there is any increased threat to society -- Suffice to say that this order is not irreversible and can always be recalled in the event of any future misconduct or breach by the petitioners -- Petitions disposed of with a direction that the petitioners be released on probation in terms of Section 2 of the UP Prisoners Release on Probation Act, 1938 within a period of two weeks -- Respondent-State shall be at liberty to impose conditions as it may deem fit to balance public safety with individual liberty.

(Para 16-22)