Moved by bride's steadfast love, Kerala High Court grants parole to life convict for wedding

The Kerala High Court recently granted 15 days of parole to a convict who is undergoing life imprisonment so he could marry a woman, who the Court noted had remained unwavering in her commitment to the convict despite his life sentence [Sathy v State of Kerala & ors].

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan expressed that he was moved by the brave stand of a woman who was determined to marry her partner, even though she knew he would have to remain in jail to serve out his life sentence.

"I am looking at this case from the angle of that girl who decided to marry the convict. Even after the convict was sentenced to undergo life imprisonment, her love continues. In other words, she says that 'you are my today, my tomorrow, and my forever.' She says that 'you are my soul mate, my partner, my best friend.' This Court cannot neglect the brave stand of that girl who is ready to marry the convict, even though she knows that her partner is in jail and is undergoing life imprisonment. I am exercising my extraordinary jurisdiction to grant parole to the convict for a period of 15 days," the Court said.

The order was passed on a criminal writ petition filed by the convict's mother, seeking emergency parole for her son so that he could marry his partner on July 13, 2025.

The judge began his ruling by quoting poet Maya Angelou on love:

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

Taking into account the emotional depth of the situation, the Court chose to exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to allow the convict parole.

"I am of the considered opinion that 15 days' parole can be given to the convict. Let that girl be happy, and this Court showers all blessings upon her," it said.

The convict, in this case, was among those found guilty in a conspiracy and murder case.

He had sought emergency parole to marry his partner. However, the jail authorities rejected the application, reasoning that there was no specific provision in the prison rules to grant parole for the convict's own marriage. This led his mother to approach the High Court.

The convict's mother told the Court that his marriage to his fiancée had been fixed before his conviction. After confirming the same, the Court granted the convict parole.

The Court has directed the prison authorities to release the convict for a period of 15 days from July 12 to July 26, 2025. The convict was instructed to report back to jail before 4 PM on the final day.

The petitioner (convict's mother) was represented by advocates P Mohamed Sabah, Libin Stanley, Saipooja, Sadik Ismayil, R Gayathri, M Mahin Hamza, Alwin Joseph, and Benson Ambrose.

Senior public prosecutor Seetha S appeared for the State.

[Read Judgement]