- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21148 WP No. 11094 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 11094 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE) BETWEEN: 1. SRI KASAPPA S/O HANUMANT JANAWAD AGED 40 YEARS SERVING LIFE SENTENCE IN CENTRAL PRISON, (CTP NO 15745) PARAPPANA AGRAHARA, BENGALURU -560100. SINCE THE PETITIONER IS IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY REPRESENTED BY HIS BROTHER SRI. MUTTAPPA JANAWAD S/O HANAMANT AGED 44 YEARS R/AT GOTHE VILLAGE, JAMAKHANDI TALUK BAGALKOT-587330. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRADEEP PATIL, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY HOME DEPARTMENT, VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU-560001 2. THE LIFE CONVICTS RELEASE COMMITTEE HOME DEPARTMENT VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN Digitally signed by NAGARAJA B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21148 WP No. 11094 of 2026 3. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE PRISONS AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES NO. 9, SHESHADRI ROAD, GANDHI NAGAR BENGALURU-560009. 4. THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT CENTRAL PRISON, PARAPPANA AGRAHARA BENGALURU-560100. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VIKAS ROJIPURA, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS TO THE RESPONDENTS TO BE PLEASED TO ACT IN STRICT COMPLIANCE OF THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO. HD 119 PRA 2018, BENGALURU, DATED 21.04.2020 PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE-A AND BE FURTHER PLEASED TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE CASE OF THE PRISONER NO 15745 KASAPPA S/O HANUMANT JANAWAD FOR PREMATURE RELEASE IN TERMS OF THE ANNEXURE-A AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The petitioner namely Kasappa S/o Hanumant Janawad, who is serving life sentence in Bengaluru Central Prison has filed the captioned petition seeking following reliefs: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21148 WP No. 11094 of 2026 "a. Issue a Writ, Order or direction in the nature of mandamus to the Respondents to be pleased to act in strict compliance of the Notification bearing No. HD 119 PRA 2018, Bengaluru, dated 21.04.2020 produced as Annexure-A and be further pleased to direct the respondents to consider the case of the prisoner No.15745 Kasappa S/o Hanumant Janawad for premature release in terms of the Annexure-A. b. Issue a Writ, Order or direction in the nature of mandamus to the Respondents to release the Prisoner No.15745 Kasappa S/o Hanumant Janawad on parole till the decision of the Government in the interest of justice and equity. c. Pass such other orders/ directions considering the facts and circumstances of the case together as to costs in the interest of justice" The detenue stands convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 302, 120(b) & 109 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, in S.C.No.86/2013, and is presently undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for life. It is not in dispute that the detenue has already undergone incarceration for a period of 13 years actual sentence and more than 14 years 9 months including remission. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21148 WP No. 11094 of 2026 2. The detenue has sought premature release. The Advisory Board, upon consideration, has recommended/approved the case of the detenue for such premature release. The matter is presently pending consideration before the Life Convicts Release Committee (LCRC). 3. The petitioner has placed reliance on the order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Venkatesh vs. State of Karnataka and others [W.P. No.17178/2025, dated 11.11.2025], wherein, in similar circumstances, this Court, taking note of the fact that the detenue therein had undergone more than 11 years, 5 months and 9 days of sentence and that the Advisory Board had recommended premature release, directed that the detenue be released on parole till the LCRC takes a final decision. 4. Having regard to the consistent view taken by this Court in similar matters, and taking note of the fact that the Advisory Board has already approved the case of the present detenue for premature release, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioner is entitled to similar relief. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:21148 WP No. 11094 of 2026 5. Accordingly, this Court proceeds to pass the following: ORDER (i) The writ petition is allowed. (ii) Respondent No.4 is directed to release Convict No.15745, Kasappa S/o Hanumant Janawad, on general parole, subject to usual conditions, pending consideration and final decision by respondent Nos.1 and 2 (LCRC). (iii) It is made clear that such release shall be purely interim in nature and shall be subject to the outcome of the decision to be taken by the LCRC. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE CA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 0