1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR Criminal Writ petition No. 43/2010 Gajanan Kalipuri Puri Vs. The State of Maharashtra and another. Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Appearances, Courts orders or directions Court’s or Judge’s orders and Registrar’s orders. CORAM: A.P. LAVANDE & R.C.CHAVAN, JJ. 19TH APRIL, 2010. Heard Mr. Bhangde, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Fulzele, learned APP for the respondents. The grievance made by the petitioner, who is undergoing sentence of imprisonment for life at Central Jail, Amravati there has been considerable delay in deciding parole application filed by him on 16.11.2008. On behalf of the respondents, replies have been filed. Disposal of parole/furlough application has to be in terms of guidelines laid down by the State Government which prescribes period of 45 days in disposing of the applications for parole/furlough. In deciding the above referred parole application, there has been delay of 19 days by the Divisional Commissioner, Amravati, of 21 days by the Prison Authorities and of 85 days on the part of the 2 Commissioner of Police Amravati. The Divisional Commissioner, Amravati has filed affidavit explaining delay of 19 days. We are satisfied with the explanation given by him. However, there is absolutely no justification for delay of 21 days and 85 days by the Prison Authorities and Police Commissioner of Amravati respectively in dealing with the application for parole filed by the petitioner. No doubt, the reply discloses that the petitioner was granted parole on 13.5.2009 which was further extended by orders dated 9.6.2009 and 18.8.2009. But the fact remains that there was inordinate delay on the part of Prison Authorities as well as Commissioner of Police, Amravati in dealing with the parole application filed by the petitioner. In view of the above, we direct the Home Secretary, Government of Maharashtra to make enquiry into the matter either himself or by any officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary for the delay in deciding the parole application filed by the petitioner. The appropriate enquiry will be conducted within a period of 12 weeks from today and compliance report shall be filed before this Court within four weeks thereafter. The petitioner has also claimed compensation for delay in deciding the application for parole. Since 3 the petitioner has already availed of parole for a period of 90 days, we are not inclined to grant any compensation in favour of the petitioner. Hence, prayer for compensation is rejected. Fees payable to Advocate S.M. Bhangde are quantified at Rs. 750/- (Rs. Seven hundred fifty only). The petition stands disposed of. JUDGE JUDGE Ambulkar.