Supreme Court Allows Interim Release Of 103-Year-Old Convict Serving Life Sentence In 1988 Murder Case

The Supreme Court on Friday (November 29) granted interim release to a 103-year-old convict serving life sentence for the offence of murder. 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a plea filed by the convict seeking interim release. 

The accused/ petitioner was convicted in 1994 by the trial court for the offence of murder under S. 302 in a 1988 case and has been serving a life sentence.  In 2018, the Calcutta High Court affirmed the conviction.

The accused in 2020 filed a writ petition in the Court seeking premature release on the grounds of ageing and ailments.

Advocate Astha Sharma appearing for the state of West Bengal informed the bench that the petitioner would be turning 104 in April 2025. 

Considering the medical complexities that come with such an old age, the bench granted him an interim release. The Court order reads: 

"As an interim order, we direct that the petitioner, Rasik Chandra Mondal, will be released on interim bail/parole1 during the pendency of the present writ petition, on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial Court."   

On a previous occasion, the bench of Justice Abdul Nazeer and Justice Khanna issued notice in the petition and asked the superintendent of the correctional home (where the petitioner was shifted to) to file status report regarding the present physical condition and health of the petitioner.

Case Details : RASIK CHANDRA MONDAL v. STATE OF WEST BENGAL | Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 313/2020