Convict Can Be Granted Parole to File Appeal: Delhi HC
In a ruling, the Delhi High Court has observed that an accused may be granted parole to let him fight the case against him, reported PTI.
The court gave the ruling rejecting government’s argument that an accused need not be released on parole to hire a counsel of his choice to fight criminal cases as free legal aid is available to them, said report.
The court passed the order on a plea moved by a convict who is undergoing life imprisonment in murder case and who has pleaded for parole to file an appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment, said report.
The Delhi government had declined parole to the petitioner Chintu Malhotra on the ground that he did not need to get out of the jail to file appeal in the Supreme Court as he could avail of free legal aid given by it to move the apex court, said report.
Refusing to accept government’s contention, Justice VK Jain, however, granted him parole, said report.
“I find no merit in it,” Justice Jain was quoted as saying, adding, “his anxiety to engage the best lawyer he can, and to brief him adequately in order to enable him to present his case before the Supreme Court effectively and to his complete satisfaction is quite understandable.”
“The impugned order rejecting the request of the petitioner for grant of parole is hereby set aside and the petitioner is directed to be released on parole,” the court was quoted as saying.
