Conjugal Visits For Prisoners Leads To Strong Family Bonds: Madras HC Grants Two Weeks’ Parole To Life Convict For Conjugal Visit [Read Order]

The Madras High Court, on Monday, granted two weeks’ parole to a life convict for the purpose of conjugal visit.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice CT Selvam and Justice S. Ramathilagam.

The court had been approached by one P. Muthumari, who is the wife of a life convict, Perumal who is currently lodged in Central Prison, Cuddalore.

The Additional Public Prosecutor had pointed out that since the petitioner’s husband is an undertrial prisoner in two cases, the jail authorities are precluded from granting him leave under the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982.

The court, however, allowed the petition, relying on the judgment in the case of Meharaj v. The State and Ors., wherein the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had recognised the importance of conjugal visits, observing,

“The psychologists and psychiatrists believe that the frustration, tension, the ill feelings and the heart-burnings can be reduced and a human being can be better constructed if they are allowed conjugal relationship even rarely. Therefore, while considering the merits and demerits of allowing conjugal visits or permitting leave for the purpose of artificial insemination, the advantages are more than the disadvantages.

Conjugal visit leads to strong family bonds and keep the family functional rather than the family becoming dysfunctional due to prolonged isolation and lack of sexual contact.”

The matter was directed to be posted on January 2, 2019 for reporting compliance.