Kopardi Rape Case: Bombay High Court Permits Convicts To Pursue Academics In Jail
The Bombay High Court has welcomed the desire expressed by two convicts in the Kopardi rape and murder case to pursue further studies in jail.A bench of Justices Prasanna B. Varale and SM Modak allowed the petitions even as their death penalty is pending confirmation. The duo, Jitendra Shinde and Nitin Bhailume were convicted in November 2017 for the rape and murder of a minor at Kopardi...
The Bombay High Court has welcomed the desire expressed by two convicts in the Kopardi rape and murder case to pursue further studies in jail.
A bench of Justices Prasanna B. Varale and SM Modak allowed the petitions even as their death penalty is pending confirmation.
The duo, Jitendra Shinde and Nitin Bhailume were convicted in November 2017 for the rape and murder of a minor at Kopardi village in 2016. Advocate Rebecca Gonsalvez representing them said the two now wanted to pursue their academic career even though they are lodged in Yerawada Central Jail, Pune, by seeking admission to Open Universities.
The Court perused a list of courses offered by two Open Universities, namely, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and Indira Gandhi National Open University viz. Foundation Courses, Bachelor Courses and Post-Graduation Courses.
Appreciating their desire, the Bench observed,
"Petitioners have expressed their desire to pursue academic course in Open University, such desire be treated as welcome steps and the prison authorities to extend all necessary assistance by adopting humanitarian approach to the desire of the petitioners."
APP Sangeeta D. Shinde for the State informed the Court that the process for admission for the Academic Year- 2022-2023 had not yet started. And as soon as the admission process is initiated, necessary steps for admitting the petitioners in the Open Universities would be undertaken.
Following this under taking the petition was allowed.
Case Title : Nitin Gopinath Bhailume and anr. V The State of Maharashtra
Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Bom) 168
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