Delhi High Court Extends Parole Of Murder Convict To Salvage Flood-Affected Crops

The Delhi High Court has recently granted a four-week extension of parole to a murder convict in order to enable him to tend to his crops, which have been affected by the recent floods.

Justice Arun Monga passed the order while dealing with a plea filed by Praveen Rana, who is serving a life sentence. Rana had approached the court seeking an extension of parole that had been granted to him by a co-ordinate bench on August 18 and was due to expire on Monday.

Observing that the situation was an “Act of God,” the judge said, “The petitioner’s continued presence is not only unforeseen, being an act of God (heavy rains), but otherwise also appears to be necessary for sustaining his family’s only source of livelihood, on which his widowed mother and two minor children are entirely dependent.”

During the hearing, Rana’s counsel contended that he had initially been released on parole for agricultural activities, which remain unfinished. He pointed out that the convict’s land measures about 1.5 acres, and its maintenance requires his continued personal supervision and active involvement. Counsel stressed that this land was the sole means of livelihood for the family, which also covers the education and daily needs of his two school-going children.

It was further contended that Rana had sown seasonal crops during a furlough in June. However, torrential rains completely inundated the fields and destroyed the crop. With floodwaters only now receding, urgent re-cultivation measures such as tilling, sowing, and applying fertilizers and pesticides had become necessary.

“It is imperative for the petitioner to arrange funds, procure agricultural inputs, and personally supervise the recovery process,” counsel argued, adding that without his intervention, the family’s survival and the children’s education would be at serious risk.

Appearing for the Government of Delhi, ASC Rupali Bandhopadhya opposed the plea. She contended that the convict’s conduct in moving the application belatedly, on the very day his parole was due to expire, did not inspire confidence.

After hearing the counsels for both sides and perusing the application, Justice Monga said, “I am of the view that the applicant is entitled to extension of parole in order to enable him to tend to his crops which have been affected by the recent deluge.”

Finding merit in the convict’s request, Justice Monga observed that the floods amounted to an unforeseen natural calamity and that Rana’s active supervision was essential for the survival of his family. “With the water now receding, urgent measures are required to restore and protect the farmland, including financial arrangements and application of fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential inputs,” the court added.

Court observed that without the petitioner’s active supervision, the agricultural recovery process could not be effectively undertaken, thereby jeopardising the survival and education of his dependent family members.

Accordingly, the High Court granted Rana a four-week extension of parole on the same terms and conditions as those imposed in the August 18 order. However, the judge clarified that this would be treated as a second parole under the jail manual and factored in accordingly for future purposes.

Court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the concerned Jail Superintendent for compliance and asked the state’s counsel to immediately inform jail authorities over the phone to avoid delay.

Case Title: PRAVEEN RANA v. STATE of NCT OF DELHI

Order Date:15 September 2025

Bench: Justice Arun Monga