In Brief
A prisoner convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC (life imprisonment) and rape under Section 376 IPC (7 years imprisonment), with both sentences running concurrently, challenged the High Court's direction allowing him consideration for early release after serving the 7-year sentence. The State appealed. The Supreme Court held that such a prisoner is entitled to consideration for premature release under Tamil Nadu Prison Rules 1983, Rule 341, because the rule's restriction on ineligible offences should not apply when sentences run concurrently and the ineligible sentence has been completed. However, the Court struck down the High Court's direction to reopen cases of all life convicts who completed 14 years, as it exceeded the scope of the parties before it.
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