Convicts cannot be granted leave just for having conjugal relationship with spouse, rules HC

Bench says the benefit can be extended only for exceptional reasons such as a need to undergo infertility treatment

CHENNAI

In an authoritative pronouncement, a Full Bench (comprising three judges) of the Madras High Court has held that convicts cannot be granted ordinary leave just for having conjugal relationship with their spouse unless there were exceptional reasons such as a need to undergo infertility treatment.

Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari, Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu said: “A convict cannot enjoy all liberties available to a common person. Otherwise, there would no difference between a law-abiding citizen and a law-violating prisoner.”