High Court unhappy with delay in deciding parole applications

April 24, 2018

The High Court of Delhi has expressed dejection over “ unwarranted delays” in deciding parole pleas of prisoners and asked the AAP government to accelerate the process. The court said the government must decide the parole pleas sooner and give reasons in case of delays as there can be “ no justification” . The bench gave its direction on a PIL complaining of delays in disposal of the prisoners' pleas for parole or furlough. The High Court said an effort was made by the Delhi government through the Department of Home and Tihar Jail officers to describe the problems creating such delays. However, it noted that though quite a few pleas are being decided in accordance with the schedule stipulated in the guidelines, “ there are numerous applications which have not been processed during the set time.” The bench disposed off the PIL “ with a direction to the government authorities that it shall ensure that the schedule, as mentioned in the Parole/ Furlough Guidelines, 2010, is strictly followed. In case of any delay, the respondent shall keep a record of the reasons. The PIL was filed by a Delhi resident Sanjeev Kumar who had moved the court arguing that despite the January 2014 order of the High Court to the Delhi government to decide “ expeditiously” all parole/ furlough applications pending before it within the stipulated time-limit of 3 weeks specified in the Parole/ Furlough Guidelines 2010, the authorities have failed to comply with it. Advocate Ajay Verma, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the directions to the government have not been followed. Moreover, due to the delay, the basic purpose of the parole application is often defeated, the PIL said.