$~88 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 4197/2025 PAPPU SINGH @ RAJU SINGH .....Petitioner Through: Counsel (appearance not given) versus STATE (NCT OF DELHI) .....Respondent Through: Mr. Yasir Rauf Ansari (ASC), Mr. Alok Sharma, Mr. Pavitra Dixit, Advocates for State. SI Chetan Panwar PS Chhawla. CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV O R D E R % 23.07.2026 1. The present petition has been filed challenging order dated 27.11.2025 and the minutes of meeting of the Sentence Review Board (SRB) dated 16.10.2025, whereby, the petitioner's request for premature release has been rejected. 2. Learned counsel appearing on the behalf of the petitioner submits that the respondent authorities have failed to appreciate the peculiar circumstances prevailing during the COVID-19 pandemic while considering the petitioner's case. It is submitted that petitioner's case was rejected primarily on the ground that he had violated the conditions of emergency parole on two occasions, inasmuch as there was a delay of 27 days in surrender on the first occasion and 3 days on the second occasion. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/07/2026 at 15:45:29 3. It is a matter of common knowledge that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable uncertainty and lack of clarity regarding the implementation of the directions governing emergency parole. Owing to the prevailing circumstances, several prisoners could not surrender within the stipulated period and returned after the prescribed time. 4. Bearing in mind the observations made by this Court in the case of Pradeep Paswan vs. State (NCT of Delhi) 1,while dealing with the effect of delayed surrender during emergency parole granted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, held that such delay, occasioned by the uncertainty prevailing during the said period and in the absence of any other adverse conduct, ought not to operate as the sole impediment to the prisoner's claim. The Court accordingly directed that the prisoner's case be considered afresh by ignoring the punishment imposed for late surrender. 5. Accordingly, it is directed that the case of the petitioner be reconsidered by the respondent-authority by ignoring the late surrender of 27 days and 3 days. 6. All rights and contentions are left open. 7. Let the case of the petitioner be considered in the forthcoming meeting of the Sentence Review Board (SRB). 8. Let a copy of this order be also sent to the concerned Jail Superintendent. PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J JULY 23, 2026 Aks/SS 1 Order dated 20.07.2026 in W.P.(CRL) 14/2026 This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/07/2026 at 15:45:29