In Brief
The State of Rajasthan and others appealed against a High Court decision striking down Rule 8(2)(i) of the Rajasthan Prisons (Shortening of Sentences) Rules, 2006. The rule required prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment to earn a minimum of four years of remission after completing 14 years of actual imprisonment before being considered for early release. The Court held that life imprisonment means imprisonment for the whole of one's natural life, not a fixed term. Remission is a matter of State grace and discretion, not a fundamental right. The requirement to lay rules before the Legislature is directory, not mandatory. The rule is valid as Section 433-A CrPC prescribes only the minimum period; the State may impose additional conditions. The appeals were allowed.</summary_100> </invoke>
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.