The Delhi High Court granted an extension of parole for a convicted murderer, Praveen Rana, so that he may tend to his farmland which had been damaged by recent floods. The order was passed by Justice Arun Monga, who allowed the parole extension for four weeks, under the same conditions as the earlier parole granted to him.
Praveen Rana had previously been granted furlough in June on the ground that he had sown seasonal crops. However, heavy rainfall had inundated his field and destroyed the entire crop. In his application seeking extension of parole, he submitted that with the floodwaters now receding, his presence was essential to restore and protect the land, including carrying out urgent work such as applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs. Rana’s argument was that these agricultural activities are critical not only for saving what remains of his crops but also for sustaining his family, which comprises his widowed mother and two minor children who depend entirely on this source of livelihood.
The Court, after hearing both sides and reviewing the application, observed that Rana’s continued presence was unforeseen and caused by an “act of God”—namely, the heavy rains. More significantly, it found that his presence was necessary for the survival of his dependents, who rely exclusively on the farmland. Without his active supervision, the recovery process of the crops would be severely hampered, which could endanger not just the produce but also the family’s welfare and the minor children’s education.
Accordingly, the Court granted the extension, but with the caveat that this extension would count as a second parole under the jail manual. All previous parole conditions were to apply. The relief was thus limited in time (four weeks), but recognized the necessity posed by the natural disaster and the dependence of family members on crop recovery.
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