Court reduces police escort charges for 1993 blast convict

The Pune prison authorities had allowed Siddique’s plea for emergency parole with a rider to bear expenses of Rs 2.55 lakh for four days, which was 50 per cent of the estimated cost of escort charges. However, Siddique highlighted his financial constraints and approached the High Court against the prison authorities’ orders. The court found the cost to be “exorbitant” and reduced it to Rs 50, 000 for four days.

Siddique had approached Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Prison, Pune seeking a grant of emergency parole. On January 31, the DIG allowed his plea with the condition of bearing expenses for the escort. The scheduled marriage and ceremonies are scheduled between March 12 and March 19.

The petitioner, referring to past judgements of HC and amendments in rules regarding escort charges, applied to the DIG (Prisons) Pune for waiver of escort charges citing financial constraints. The competent authority on March 8 allowed the plea and permitted him to avail parole for four days subject to bearing 50 per cent of escort expenses.

Advocate Farhana Shah representing Siddique submitted that while his emergency parole was allowed, the condition of bearing 50 per cent of the escort expenses would prevent him from availing the benefits as the estimated cost is coming to Rs 2.55 lakh for four days.

Shah submitted that the petitioner is in prison serving life imprisonment and his family members are not well off to bear the expenses therefore, the DIG’s order be set aside. She added that Siddique is allowed to avail parole leave on personal and surety bond, without paying escort charges.

However, advocate M H Mhatre representing the state prison authorities justified the March 8 order and submitted that according to the amended rules, the DIG is empowered to consider the request regarding depositing escort charges.

Mhatre added that the order asking the petitioner to bear 50 per cent of escort charges was passed without any error and the financial status of the petitioner’s family members was considered before passing the order.

After hearing the submissions, the bench found “considerable merit” in the petitioner’s submissions that even 50 per cent of the amount, that is Rs 2.55 lakh for four days, is an “exorbitant amount” for Siddique.

“Considering the financial condition of the petitioner and requirement of the state to deploy certain officials as an escort to the petitioner, we are of the opinion that the order impugned in the petition needs to be modified. The writ petition is partly allowed. We direct the petitioner to deposit the escort expenses to the state to the tune of Rs 50,000 by March 12,” the bench held.