1 week ago
Andhra High Court Denies Parole for Convict’s Wedding
A man serving a life sentence wanted to leave prison to get married.
The bride’s mother asked the court to give him 30 days of parole.
The court said prisoners still have important rights, including the right to choose a spouse.
However, that does not mean they can automatically leave a high-security prison for a wedding.
The man had escaped from prison before and had received several disciplinary punishments.
Because of these concerns, the court said releasing him could create security risks.
It also refused to allow an escorted temple visit or hold the wedding inside the prison.
The man may apply again in the future if he completes the required waiting period and follows prison rules.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court denied a life convict’s request for 30 days’ parole to attend his wedding.
The court said the right to marry does not automatically include the right to leave prison for the ceremony.
The convict had previously escaped, remained missing for 1,736 days and received nine prison punishments.
The court also rejected alternatives involving an escorted temple visit or holding the wedding inside prison.
A future parole request may be made after the applicable two-year period ends, if his conduct improves and circumstances change.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh High Court, a life convict serving a murder sentence, and the prospective bride’s mother, who filed the petition.
- What
- The court denied parole, an escorted temple visit and an in-prison wedding arrangement for the convict.
- Where
- The proposed wedding was scheduled at Kodandaramaswamy Devastanam in Gudur; alternatives involved a temple in Simhachalam or a central prison in Visakhapatnam.
- When
- The ruling was issued on August 22; the proposed wedding was scheduled for August 23. The article also reports a prison punishment imposed on August 26, 2025.
- Why
- The court cited the convict’s previous escape, 1,736 days on the run, nine prison punishments, security concerns and parole-rule restrictions.
Marriage and Personal Liberty
Security and Prison Rules
Request for wedding access
Marriage and Personal Liberty
The bride’s mother argued that the convict should receive 30 days’ parole to marry her daughter, and proposed an escorted temple visit or a wedding inside prison as alternatives.
Security and Prison Rules
The state opposed release, arguing that the convict could abscond or commit further offences because of his previous escape and prison disciplinary record.
Meaning of the right to marry
Marriage and Personal Liberty
The petition relied on the view that marriage is connected to personal liberty and dignity, rights that prisoners do not completely lose.
Security and Prison Rules
The court agreed that prisoners retain fundamental rights but said lawful imprisonment, discipline, security concerns and parole rules may restrict how those rights are exercised.
Wedding inside or outside prison
Marriage and Personal Liberty
The petitioner suggested a six-hour escorted visit to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple or holding the ceremony inside Central Prison, Visakhapatnam.
Security and Prison Rules
The court rejected both options, saying a high-security prison cannot be treated like an open-air camp and that the parole rules do not establish a right to use it as a private wedding venue.
Key facts
- Court
- Andhra Pradesh High Court
- Sentence
- Life imprisonment for murder
- Parole sought
- 30 days to attend his wedding
- Previous escape
- The convict escaped from the outer premises of Old Central Prison, Mulapet, Nellore, in 2014 and surrendered after 1,736 days.
- Prison record
- The state reported nine prison punishments.
- Legal position
- The court held that the right to marry does not automatically create a right to leave prison for marriage.
- Future application
- The court left open a renewed parole request after the applicable two-year period following the punishment, subject to changed circumstances and satisfactory conduct.
Quotes
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The court deciding the convict’s parole petition
“The right to marry does not confer an unconditional right either to release on parole or to convert a Central Prison into a marriage venue… The right to marry does not automatically include a right to leave prison for marriage.”
indianexpress.com
“A high-security Central Prison cannot be equated with an open-air camp, especially where the convict has previously escaped and repeatedly violated prison discipline.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Madhya Pradesh High Court Suspends Sentence for Interfaith Wife
Supreme Court Denies Asaram Interim Bail, Allows 24x7 Trained Caregiver
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Granted 21-Day Furlough for 17th Release
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Granted 21-Day Release, Heads to Sirsa
Delhi HC Prematurely Releases Two Rape Convicts Serving Life Sentences
Shinde Sena Challenges Shiv Sena’s 2018 Power Shift
Supreme Court Questions BCI Chairman’s Proposed Five-Year Tenure
BJP MPs Seek National Commission for General Category Interests
PUCL Urges CJI Action Over Rajasthan High Court Allegations
Supreme Court Questions IPS Deputation for CAPF Leadership Positions
