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Punjab and Haryana HC slams delay in parole case, says prisoners are not ‘second-class citizens’

Disposing of the petition, the court not only ordered the DM to take a final call on Singh’s application within two weeks but also laid down a broader rule: all parole pleas must be decided within four months.

3 min readChandigarhJul 11, 2025 10:52 AM IST

The court’s remarks come amid multiple pending issues regarding the high court’s infrastructure. (File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the District Magistrate of Moga to decide within two weeks the parole application of a convict seeking temporary release to support his ailing mother and children. The court pulled up state authorities for what it called a “culture of apathy” in handling parole pleas, saying such delays violate a prisoner’s right to life and dignity.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, who passed the order on July 9, said, “It is deeply concerning that state agencies display such laxity in dealing with applications for temporary release. The administration cannot truly comprehend the value of liberty as perceived by a prisoner, who lives its absence every single day.”

The petitioner, Jaspal Singh alias Jassa, is serving a 10-year sentence under the NDPS Act for a 2020 case in Ferozepur. He applied for eight weeks of parole in September last year to care for his mother, who suffers from age-related illnesses, and to reunite briefly with his two children. But despite nearly 10 months passing, the application remained undecided, prompting him to move the High Court.

Justice Brar said the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1962, was humanitarian in spirit and must not be reduced to a “paper ritual.” Citing the Supreme Court’s landmark 1978 ruling in Sunil Batra vs. Delhi Administration, he noted, “Convicts are not, by mere reason of the conviction, denuded of all the fundamental rights which they otherwise possess.”
The judge also pointed to earlier High Court judgments that fixed timelines for such decisions, including Joginder Singh vs. State of Punjab and Mahammad Shehbaz vs. State of Punjab.

Appearing for Singh, Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Lakhanpal argued that the inaction had caused mental agony to the prisoner and his family. The state, represented by Additional Advocate General Subhash Godara, admitted the parole file was still awaiting a police report before the District Magistrate could act.

Disposing of the petition, the court not only ordered the DM to take a final call on Singh’s application within two weeks but also laid down a broader rule: all parole pleas must be decided within four months. Failure to do so without valid reasons could invite contempt proceedings, the judge warned.

The High Court has also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the legal representatives of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to ensure compliance across the region.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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