Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has taken serious note of the 25-day delay in processing an emergent parole application filed on behalf of a convict seeking 15-day parole for the expected delivery of his wife.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Mahendar Kumar Goyal and Justice Bhuwan Goyal observed that despite a specific mandate under the Rajasthan Prisoners Release on Parole Rules, requiring such applications to be dealt expeditiously but, the authorities failed to act within the prescribed period.
For the context the petitioner’s father had submitted an application for emergent parole to the District Magistrate, Kotputli-Behror on September 10, with a copy to the Superintendent, Central Jail, Bharatpur. However, the Jail Superintendent did not forward the application to the District Magistrate until October 1, after the petitioner approached the High Court on September 30.
Rule Requires Decision Within Four Days
The Bench referred to Rule 23(1), which requires the District Magistrate to deal with emergent parole applications.
Officers Directed to Appear
Taking note of the apparent non-compliance, the Court directed the District Magistrate and the Superintendent, to remain personally present before the Court on the next date along with affidavits explaining the reasons for the delay.
Contempt Action Possible
The court also asked the officers to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for allegedly wilfully and deliberately flouting the directions issued by the coordinate Bench in 2022.
Meanwhile, the authorities have been directed to dispose of the pending parole application.
The matter has been listed for October 9.