Delhi High Court Flags Delays In Compliance Of Parole Orders, Directs SOP To Address Bottlenecks

The Delhi High Court has recently expressed concern over recurring delays in compliance with judicial directions in parole matters, while directing Delhi Government's Principal Secretary (Home) to frame a standard operating procedure (SOP) on the issue. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the order while granting four weeks' parole to a convict whose elder brother had passed away. As per the nominal roll, the petitioner- Nandu, had already suffered more than 15 years of judicial custody, his jail conduct has been “satisfactory”; and he was working as a Sahayak at Deodhi Gate.On March 28, the State told Court that Nandu's application seeking parole was not decided 2!; was forwarded to Delhi's Home Secretary who then returned it to the jail authorities with some queries. It was also informed that the application has was again back to the Home Secretary.The Court had then noted that the judicial direction for deciding the parole application to be decided within a week had not been complied with despite lapse of five weeks.Justice Bhambhani had observed that unless a cogent and acceptable explanation be given, the internal processed as between the jail authorities and the administrative authorities cannot be ground for non-compliance with a court order.On April 01, the Court interacted with the Principal Secretary (Home), and the concerned Jail Superintendent of Tihar Jail, who joined via video conferencing and explained the timeline of processing earlier court directions. The Jail Superintendent attributed the delay in complying with the Court's earlier order to administrative procedures, involving both jail authorities and the Home Department. However, the Court expressed anguish over “repeated non-compliance” of timelines, particularly in urgent matters concerning parole and furlough. As the Court impressed upon the Principal Secretary (Home) the need for scrupulous and timely compliance of court orders and directions, it directed:“The Principal Secretary is directed to address the matter at the administrative level; identify the bottlenecks and causes for delay; and to put in place Standard Operating Procedures ('SOP') to ensure that court orders are brought to the notice of the concerned authorities in a timely manner, and that court directions (including the timelines for compliance) are duly adhered-to.”On merits, the Court noted that the petitioner's elder brother had passed away and that the tehrvi ceremony was scheduled shortly thereafter, which confirmed by the State's status report. Accordingly, the Court granted the petitioner parole for four weeks, subject to conditions including furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with a surety, restriction on leaving the city without permission and mandatory weekly reporting before the SHO concerned. The matter will now be taken up on May 04 for compliance with directions issued to the Home Department.Title: NANDU @ RAM KISHORE v. STATE (NCT OF DELHI)Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Del) 370Click here to read order

Delhi High Court Flags Delays In Compliance Of Parole Orders, Directs SOP To Address Bottlenecks

Nupur Thapliyal

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