No Parole for Convict To Maintain Relationship With Live-In Partner: Delhi High Court

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court in a verdict clarified that Indian law, including the Delhi Prison Rules, does not permit the grant of parole to a convict only for the purpose of maintaining a conjugal relationship with a live-in partner, especially when the convict is already legally married.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma pointed out that parole cannot be granted to a convict on grounds of having a child or maintaining conjugal relationships with a live-in partner when the convict has a legally wedded wife and children born from that marriage.

Justice Sharma said that a live-in partner, lacking legal recognition as a spouse, does not fall within the scope of the definition of “family” under the Delhi Prison Rules, which include grandparents, parents, siblings, spouse, children, and grandchildren.