The Supreme Court has awarded Rs 11 lakh in compensation to a convict who was forced to remain in custody for an additional 24 days after the court had granted him parole. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and A G Masih strongly criticized the Rajasthan government for its lethargic approach in implementing the court's order to release the convict on parole.
Court's Strong Stance on Liberty
The court made it clear that the right to liberty of an individual cannot be placed on a lower footing simply because he is a prisoner. The bench declared the continued detention of the convict for 24 days as illegal and directed the state government to pay Rs 11 lakh as compensation.
Rejection of State's Defense
The Supreme Court rejected the defense put forward by the state government that the parole order passed by the High Court was erroneous and that it was about to be challenged. The court emphasized that liberty is not a trivial matter that could be sacrificed at the altar of bureaucratic lethargy, even in the case of a prisoner.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to protecting individual rights and ensuring that government authorities act promptly in implementing court orders. The compensation awarded serves as a deterrent against administrative delays that infringe upon personal liberty.
