Govt draws HC flak over parole delays

At a time when the haste shown in granting parole to Manu Sharma has triggered a controversy, the Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from the Delhi government for the delay in deciding parole pleas of other convicts.

At a time when the haste shown in granting parole to Manu Sharma has triggered a controversy, the Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from the Delhi government for the delay in deciding parole pleas of other convicts.

HT Image

The court was dealing with a plea made by a convict in the CP shootout case, Constable Sumer Singh.

Singh had filed a parole request on September 30. But no decision was taken, forcing him to move court.

Singh has sought a three-month parole, primarily to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against his conviction

Justice Kailash Gambhir slammed the government for ignoring an earlier order of the court to give priority to parole applications and decide them within 10 days.

“It appears the directions given by this court are being implemented more in violation than in compliance,” the judge said.

Justice Gambhir directed the home secretary to appear on November 20 and explain the delay.

The official has to tell the court as to how many requests were pending consideration and disclose the date of receipt of those pleas.

A letter written by 28 convicts explaining difficulty in getting parole is already pending before the court.