- (1.) A letter has been received from the convicted prisoner of Central Jail, Bikaner. The said letter has been treated as a letter petition by this court.
(2.) According to Mr. Kalu Ram Bhati, the petitioner was convicted for offences under Sections 8/18 of NDPS Act. He was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and was imposed with a fine of Rs.1,00,000/-. So far, he has completed six years, and two days. Since he is eligible for release on first parole under the Rajasthan Prisoners (Release on Parole) Rules, 1958, he sent a letter for his first parole of twenty days. On the other hand, the learned Public Prosecutor has contended that the convicted prisoners of NDPS Act are not covered by the Rajasthan Prisoners (Release on Parole) Rules. For, Rule 1(c) clearly states that the parole rules would not apply to those prisoners who have been convicted under a law to which the executive power of the Union of India extends. Recently in the case of Shambhu Dayal V/s. The State of Rajasthan & Ors. - D.B. Civil Writ (Parole) Petition No.12294/2011 decided on 22.03.2012, the Division Bench has concluded that the convicted prisoners of NDPS Act are not covered by the Parole Rules of 1958, but are covered by the rules framed by the Central Government. According to the rules framed by the Central Government, the convicted prisoners of NDPS Act are eligible for only urgent parole in case of their ill-health, or in case of ill-health of parents, husband, wife or child. Thus, the petitioner is not entitled to be released on first parole of twenty days.
(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the parties. In the case of Shambhu Dayal , the learned Division Bench has held as under :- Question No.(1) (1) Whether the Rajasthan Prisoners Release on Parole Rules, 1958 are applicable in the cases where sentence of imprisonment is for an offence relating to a matter to which executive power of Union extends such as under NDPS Act. Answer The Rajasthan Prisoners Release on Parole rules, 1958 are not applicable in the cases where conviction is under NDPS Act and also where convict is sentenced to imprisonment for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends and such cases have to be dealt with in accordance with the Rules of 1955 framed by the Central Government, Ministry of Home Affairs vide Notification dated 9 th November, 1955 published in the Gazette of India, November 19, 1955. ;