Delhi HC: Heinousness of the crime alone cannot justify denying a life convict premature release

The Delhi High Court set aside a Sentence Review Board (SRB) decision that had refused the premature release of a life convict sentenced in 2016 for gang rape, kidnapping and dacoity. The convict's plea was rejected in January 2026 solely on the ground that his offence was heinous. Justice Mini Pushkarna held that the minutes of the SRB meeting showed no consideration of the criteria the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 and earlier judgments of the Court require for premature release, such as the convict's conduct in custody, age, health and chances of reform, and that the gravity of the original offence cannot by itself be the sole ground for refusal once a convict becomes eligible for consideration.

The Court relied on its own earlier ruling in Ramesh v. State (NCT of Delhi) and a connected petition, decided on 10 August 2026, which laid down the principles the SRB must apply. It remanded the matter for the SRB to reconsider the convict's application at its next meeting, applying those principles, and directed the Jail Superintendent to place the case before the Board. The petition, filed under Article 226 for certiorari and mandamus, was accordingly allowed.