Committee Directed to Reconsider Premature Release Cases Strictly as Per Government Norms, Rejecting Reliance on Police Verification Report
In a significant suo motu judgment dated September 7, 2026, the Division Bench of the Tripura High Court comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit has set aside the decision of the State Level Committee concerning the premature release of seven convicted prisoners. These convicts, who had served between 15 to 21 years of incarceration, were denied premature release based primarily on Police Verification Reports, a factor not prescribed under the amended norms governing premature release.
The case was initiated on the Court's own motion to scrutinize the fairness and legality of the Committee's approach towards premature release. The Court noted that the notification dated September 3, 2025, issued by the Home (Jail) Department of the Government of Tripura, which amended the criteria for premature release, did not include Police Verification Reports as a basis for denying premature release. Despite this, the Committee relied heavily on these reports and declined to release the convicts prematurely, without properly applying its mind to the principles laid down by the Government.
The Court observed that the Superintendent of Prison had recommended the premature release of these prisoners, highlighting that the Committee's rejection solely on the basis of Police Verification Reports was unjustified and outside the scope of the prescribed norms. While the Advocate General clarified that the Committee's decision was interim and the final decision would be made by the Governor of Tripura, the Court emphasized that the Committee itself bears the responsibility of carefully evaluating each case in strict accordance with the government's notification.
Accordingly, the High Court quashed the Committee's decision dated August 21, 2026, and directed the State Level Committee to reconsider the premature release applications of the seven convicts in light of the norms issued by the Home (Jail) Department. The Court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 7, 2026, to ensure compliance with this directive.
This judgment reinforces the principle that administrative authorities must adhere strictly to the statutory and procedural guidelines while making decisions affecting the liberty of prisoners, and cannot introduce extraneous factors not envisaged by the governing rules. The ruling is expected to have wider implications on premature release policies and the treatment of convicts in the State of Tripura.
Bottom Line:
Premature release of convicts - State Level Committee's decision based on Police Verification Report set aside - Committee directed to reconsider cases strictly as per norms laid down by the State Government.
Statutory provision(s):
Notification dated 03.09.2025 issued by Home (Jail) Department, Government of Tripura (amending norms for premature release)
Court on its own motion v. State of Tripura, (Tripura)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2974651
