Conduct Of Petitioner Is Satisfactory: Delhi High Court Grants 90-Day Parole To Serial Killer Chandrakant Jha

Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar observed that,

“the petitioner has undergone more than 15 years and 6 months in judicial custody and he has not been released in the last 3 years. The conduct of the petitioner is satisfactory, he has also been released on parole on five occasions and furlough on seven occasions and there is no allegation that the petitioner had misused his liberty, therefore, this Court considers it apposite to allow the present petition.”

The petitioner sought parole for a period of 90 days in relation to multiple FIRs involving charges under Section 302/201 of the Indian Penal Code.

Advocate Neha Kapoor appeared for the Petitioner and Advocate Anand V. Khatri (ASC) appeared for the Respondent.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the petitioner's parole was denied based on their previous convictions in multiple murder cases. However, it's pointed out that it has been more than two years since the last punishment was given, and the petitioner's jail conduct has been satisfactory during this period. It was also mentioned that the petitioner has been released on parole five times and on furlough seven times previously. The petitioner's counsel further emphasized that the petitioner has four daughters and needs to arrange a suitable groom for the eldest daughter.

The petitioner's counsel referred to a previous Supreme Court judgment Asfaq v. State of Rajasthan, 2017 which emphasized that parole should be granted to those who demonstrate a commitment to reconcile with society and live as law-abiding citizens.

The State's representative opposed the petition, citing the petitioner's criminal history and multiple murder convictions. They argued that the petitioner's conduct has been unsatisfactory overall, and there's a possibility of them violating parole.

A status report from the State revealed that the petitioner had five daughters, one of whom has passed away. The petitioner's wife and remaining daughters were living at a specific address as tenants.

Considering the petitioner's time spent in custody, their satisfactory conduct, and previous parole and furlough instances, the Court allowed the petition. The petitioner was granted parole for 90 days with specific conditions.

Cause Title: Chandrakant Jha v. State of NCT of Delhi

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