1` IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR Criminal Writ Petition No. 248/2011 Shri Anmol Mahadeo Ghodichor vs. State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Home Department, Maharashtra Mantralaya, Bombay and others. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders Court's or Judge's or directions and Registrar's orders. Orders. Mr. N.S.Bhat, Advocate for petitioner. Mrs. Nandita Tripati, APP for respondents. CORAM : MRS. V.K.TAHILRAMANI & M.L.TAHALIYANI, JJ DATE : 03.05.2011 Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP for the respondents. 2. The petitioner was convicted under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Additional Sessions Judge, Bhandara by the Judgment and order dated 16.10.1998 in Sessions Trial No. 69/97. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner has completed 14 years of actual imprisonment. He submitted that when a prisoner completes 12 years of actual imprisonment, his case is referred to the Home Department by the Jail Authorities for considering his case for premature release under 14 2` Years Rule of Prisoners serving life sentence. Accordingly, the case of the petitioner was also referred by the prison authorities to the Home Department. The grievance of the petitioner is that no decision has yet been taken by the Home Department. 4. The learned APP states that the case of the petitioner has been referred to the State Government. The learned APP has produced the letter of the Superintendent of Open Prison, Paithan where the petitioner is kept. The letter shows that it is recommended that the petitioner be placed in category 3(b) of the Guidelines. Thus, in view of the category 3(b) the petitioner would be entitled to be released after 24 years of imprisonment including remission and probable date of release of the petitioner is 21st July, 2012. 5. Looking to the fact that the case of the petitioner has been referred to the State Government for categorization, we need not pass any further orders except to direct that the case of the petitioner be categorized at the earliest and in any event within four weeks from the date of communication of this order. Petition is disposed of in above terms. JUDGE JUDGE patle 3`