Delhi High Court Flags Delays in Parole Decisions, Directs SOP to Ensure Timely Compliance

The Delhi High Court has expressed serious concern over recurring delays in compliance with judicial directions in parole matters, directing the Delhi Government’s Home Department to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure timely action.

The bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the order while granting four weeks parole to a convict, Nandu, in light of the recent demise of his elder brother.

The Court noted that despite a prior judicial direction requiring the State to decide the parole application within one week, the matter remained pending for over five weeks.

“The court has impressed upon the Principal Secretary (Home) the need for scrupulous and timely compliance of court orders and directions”, the Court stated.

The delay, according to submissions made by the State, was due to the application being circulated between jail authorities and the office of the Principal Secretary (Home), with queries being raised and the file moving back and forth.

At an earlier hearing on March 28, the Court had already flagged the lapse, observing that internal administrative processes cannot justify non-compliance with court-imposed timelines unless supported by cogent and acceptable reasons.

During subsequent proceedings, the Court interacted via video conferencing with the Principal Secretary (Home) and the Jail Superintendent of Tihar Jail, who outlined the procedural steps involved in processing parole applications.

The Jail Superintendent attributed the delay to administrative formalities requiring coordination between multiple authorities.

However, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with this explanation, remarking upon the “repeated non-compliance” of timelines, especially in urgent matters such as parole and furlough, which often involve humanitarian considerations.

Emphasising the need for systemic reform, the Court directed the Principal Secretary (Home) to examine the issue at the administrative level, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective measures. It specifically ordered the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that court orders are promptly communicated to relevant authorities and complied with within stipulated timelines.

“The Principal Secretary is directed to address the matter at the administrative level; identify the bottlenecks and causes for delay; and to put in place Standard Operating Procedures (‘SOP’) to ensure that court orders are brought to the notice of the concerned authorities in a timely manner, and that court directions… are duly adhered-to,” the Court directed.

On the merits of the case, the Court considered the petitioner’s conduct and circumstances. It noted that Nandu had already undergone more than 15 years of incarceration, his jail conduct was reported to be satisfactory, and he was engaged in work as a Sahayak at Deodhi Gate.

Importantly, the Court took into account the humanitarian aspect of the case, noting that the petitioner’s elder brother had passed away and that the tehrvi ceremony was scheduled shortly thereafter, a fact confirmed in the State’s status report.

In these circumstances, the Court granted parole for a period of four weeks, subject to certain conditions. These included furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with a surety, restrictions on leaving the city without prior permission, and mandatory weekly reporting before the concerned Station House Officer (SHO).

The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 4, where the Court will review compliance with its directions regarding the formulation of the SOP.

Case Title: Nandu @RamKishore v. State (NCT of Delhi)

Bench: Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani

Date of Judgement: 01.04.2026