Introduction:

In a significant judgment, the Andhra Pradesh High Court permitted a life convict to attend his son’s wedding, despite existing parole constraints. The case, titled Vennapusa Raghunath Reddy Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others (Writ Appeal No. 597 of 2025) was adjudicated by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao on May 8, 2025. The petitioner, Vennapusa Raghunath Reddy, sought temporary release of his father, Vennapusa Gangadhar Reddy, who is serving a life sentence, to attend his wedding scheduled for May 11, 2025.

Arguments Presented:

Petitioner’s Submissions:

The petitioner argued that his father’s application for parole had been approved but was contingent upon the return of another convict, Vemireddy Bala Chinnareddy, who was out on parole for the same offence. He contended that this condition was unreasonable, especially considering the significance of the occasion. The petitioner emphasised that his father had previously been granted parole without any incidents, suggesting that adequate security measures could mitigate any potential law and order concerns.

Respondents’ Arguments:

The state, represented by the Superintendent of Central Prison, Kadapa, maintained that granting parole to both convicts simultaneously could lead to law and order complications, as per Rule 27 of the Suspension of Sentence on Parole Rules, 2024. They highlighted that Chinnareddy’s parole, initially granted on March 26, 2025, had been extended by 15 days and was set to expire on May 14, 2025. Therefore, they argued that Gangadhar Reddy’s parole should be deferred until after this date to prevent any potential issues.

Court’s Judgment:

After careful consideration, the court acknowledged the concerns raised under Rule 27, which advises caution when multiple convicts of the same offence seek parole simultaneously. However, the bench recognised the unique circumstances of the case, emphasising the importance of familial bonds and the significance of the petitioner’s wedding. The court stated:

“In terms of Rule 27 of the Rules, it appears that the Superintendent of Central Prison thinks that since there is already another convict, namely Vemireddy Bala Chinnareddy, on parole, granting parole to the petitioner’s father would lead to law and order complications. However, considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case where the convict’s son i.e., the petitioner herein is getting married on 11.05.2025, we feel that interests of justice, as an exceptional case, warrant that the petitioner’s father be permitted to join the wedding celebrations on 10.05.2025 and 11.05.2025 under proper police escort.”

Consequently, the court directed the Superintendent of Central Prison, Kadapa, to arrange for a proper police escort for Gangadhar Reddy to attend the wedding on May 10 and 11, 2025, and ensure his return to the prison by 5:00 PM on May 12, 2025. The writ appeal was accordingly disposed of.