- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 4084 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE) BETWEEN: MANJULA W/O ANNAYAPPA, SISTER OF CONVICT VENKATARAJ @ VENKATARAJAPPA S/O LAXMAYYA (CTP-4573) AGED 51 YEARS, R/AT S MEDIHALLI BIDARAGUPPE ANEKAL, BENGALURU KARNATAKA - 562 107 …PETITIONER (BY SMT. UMME SALMA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF HOME, THROUGH ITS, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001 2. THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT CENTRAL PRISON BELAGAVI - 591 108. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B.RAVINDRANATHA, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE R2 TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER'S BROTHER CONVICT NAMELY VENKATARAJ @ VENKATARAJAPPA S/O LAXMAYYA (CTP 4573) ON GENERAL PAROLE FOR 90 DAYS. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 ORAL ORDER The petitioner's brother, Sri Venkataraj alias Venkatarajappa, is convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 396, 302 and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code in SC No. 25/2020 on the file of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Karwar. Sri Venkataraj is sentenced to life imprisonment, and he has undergone imprisonment for over 5 years and 9 months and 28 days. 2. The second respondent has received Communication dated 11.11.2025 from the Jurisdictional Police on a reference as contemplated under the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual 2021 [for short, 'the Manual 2021']. This Communication reads that the Sri Venkataraj has sought for General Parole because he needs to attend his sister [the petitioner] but the beat police report is that this reason is not justified, and that Sri - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 Venkataraj could be reasoned for further commission of offence because of the antecedent circumstances. 3. Mr.B.Ravindranath, the learned Additional Government Advocate, submits that his definite instructions are that the second respondent has rejected the application in the light of this report. The question considered for disposal of the petition is should this Court intervene or call upon the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services to decide on the report. Sri B. Ravindranath is heard on this question as well. 4. The Jurisdictional Police cannot file mundane reports when there is a reference by the Chief Superintendent/Jail Superintendent under the Manual 2021, and this Court must observe that given the salient in devising grant of parole to convicts and the objectives sought to be achieved, the jurisdictional Police will have to be more aware of the purpose and the significance of their reports. This - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 Court, on perusal of the report, cannot but opine that the jurisdictional Police have responded routinely without caution and care that must be. As such, this Court is of the view that without further protraction, the petitioner's brother [Sri Venkataraja alias Venkatarajappa] must be admitted to parole but on terms. In the light of the afore, the following. ORDER [A] The petition is allowed, and the second respondent is directed to admit the petitioner's brother, Sri Venkataraja alias Venkatarajappa, to General Parole upon receipt of a certified copy of this order but on terms. [B] The second respondent shall stipulate conditions as deemed necessary to secure the petitioner's brother's return and to ensure that there is no complaint of conduct that violates the purpose of the parole. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:11764 WP No. 4084 of 2026 [C] The second respondent shall stipulate, amongst others, that the petitioner's brother shall mark attendance with the jurisdictional Police every alternative day. [D] The petitioner is reserved with liberty to file a certified copy of this order through her learned counsel with the second respondent via e-mail [cpbgm.prisons-kar@gov.in]. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE NV List No.: 2 Sl No.: 4