MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court directed prison authorities to permit a convict Siddique Ali alias Sulthan who is serving life imprisonment, to go on leave for two weeks for the purpose of procreation. Till such time, the sentence remains suspended, said the court.
The division bench comprising Justices S Vimala and T Krishnavalli passed on this order on a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife Meharaj (32), who sought to direct the prison authorities to grant him leave for 30 days, to assist her in the infertility treatment to be undergone by her.
The prisoner was undergoing imprisonment (life) and he was in custody for a period of 18 years. "The fact remains that they are not blessed with a child, may be because the husband is not at all living with his wife. The doctor has given assurance to the wife that with the help of infertility treatment, it is possible to beget a child."
"It is made clear that if the preliminary investigation by the doctors reveals that there is a possibility of conceiving a child and further treatment is necessary, then this court will consider the extension of time by another two weeks. In case of further treatment, the petitioner shall make request to the jail authorities. The petitioner is also at liberty to move this court as and when necessary," said Justice Vimala, in a landmark order.
The court also told the prison authorities to provide escort to the prisoner and the police escort should be in civil dress. After the leave period, from January 1, 2018 to February 3, .2018) the prisoner should be taken back to the Central prison, Palayamkottai, by 6 pm on February 3, the order said.
