Karnataka High Court Upholds Convict’s Right to Seek Sentence Remission

The Karnataka High Court has affirmed that convicts are entitled to seek remission of their sentences under Rule 164(v) of the Karnataka Prisons Act, 2021, provided they meet eligibility criteria such as good conduct and completion of a minimum jail term. 

The court held that even order is for a specified term, a detainee would be entitled to remission unless the sentence makes it clear that the detainee shall not be entitled to premature release or remission or parole.

The court directed the state to consider applications fairly and avoid arbitrary rejection, stressing that remission is a substantive right and not a mere privilege.

[Deepa Angadi AND State of Karnataka]