Convicted Prisoner's Right to Marry, Madras High Court Grants Emergency Leave to Prisoner

The Madras High Court granted emergency leave to a convicted prisoner for 15 days, ruling that the prisoner has the right to marry.

The court emphasized that the right to marry is a human right citing Article 23(2) of the ICCPR and Article 16(1) of the UDHR.

The court relied on Rule 6 of the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 which allows emergency leave for a prisoner’s wedding.

The court directed the Superintendent of Trichy Central Prison to provide an escort in civil dress, with the cost to be deducted from the convict’s earnings.