Parole violation: Karnataka High Court directs prison officials to educate inmates on consequences
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed prison authorities across the state to raise awareness among inmates about the consequences of violating parole conditions and the punishments that may follow if they fail to surrender within the stipulated period after temporary release.
The court also instructed the prison department to publish a bilingual (Kannada and English) booklet, prepared in collaboration with the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), explaining the rights and duties of prisoners released on parole, the conditions imposed, and the legal actions that can be taken in case of violations. Copies of this handbook should be distributed to inmates and their families.
The directive came during the hearing of a petition filed by a woman convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. She had challenged the trial court’s decision to impose an additional two-year sentence after she failed to surrender to prison authorities within the prescribed time following her parole release. Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum heard the petition.
The High Court held that violating parole conditions and failing to surrender within the stipulated time constitutes a distinct offence amounting to indiscipline and breach of lawful custody. Therefore, a convict must undergo the additional sentence for parole violation after completing the original term of imprisonment. The court clarified that the two sentences, original and for parole violation, will remain separate.
The bench also issued guidelines to ensure that parole conditions are clearly explained in a language the inmate understands at the time of release. Prison authorities must also obtain a written declaration confirming that the inmate comprehends the terms and the consequences of non-compliance.
The petitioner, a woman from Revuru village in Bagalkote district, had been convicted under the POCSO Act. She was granted parole for one month starting March 9, 2022, which was later extended by another 30 days. She was required to surrender to the Vijayapura prison on June 8, 2022, but failed to do so, thereby violating parole conditions.
Following a trial, a magistrate court in August 2023 sentenced her to an additional two years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1,000. The sessions court later upheld the order, prompting her to approach the High Court.
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Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.
The 94-year-old former minister, who passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday, was cremated at the Kalleshwara Mill premises, following Veerashaiva-Lingayat traditions.
Earlier in the day, Shivashankarappa's mortal remains were brought to his native Davanagere, where they were kept at the high school grounds for the public, his followers, and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
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Expressing deep sorrow over his demise, the Karnataka government ordered that his last rites be performed with full state honours.
Both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council also mourned his passing, adjourning their sessions for the day after paying tributes.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, opposition leaders, legislators, and political figures paid their respects.
A number of seers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also attended the last rites.
Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time before succumbing to age-related ailments.
The senior-most legislator in Karnataka, Shivashankarappa, was also one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the country, sources said.
He is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, the Karnataka Minister for Mines, Geology, and Horticulture, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.
A six-time MLA, Shivashankarappa also served as a minister and an MP.
He was a prominent educationist, establishing several educational institutions, and was an industrialist.
Additionally, he served as the treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
