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A few months after his marriage, the prisoner made another request. This time, he applied for parole citing marital support and sought temporary release to spend time with his wife.
The convict was released on parole, got married and returned to jail after the permitted period. Image: Canva
Life in prison rarely allows room for personal milestones. Yet, in an unusual turn of events, a young man serving a life sentence for murder found himself at the center of a legal debate, discussing not only punishment but also individual rights behind bars.
After getting parole last year to get married, the convict has recently sought permission again. This time, not for some family emergency or religious ritual, but for something more personal, a honeymoon.
However, the Karnataka High Court has now drawn a line and asked them to wait.
Life sentence and early request for parole
The case dates back to November 26, 2024, when the 51st City Civil and Sessions Court of Bengaluru sentenced the man to life imprisonment for the murder of a woman. In the judgment pronounced by Judge CB Santosh, the young convict was sent to Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, where he has been staying since then.
Shortly after his sentence, the prisoner applied for parole. The reason for that was simple. He wanted to get married.
Prison authorities rejected his plea on January 16, 2025, citing that parole is generally granted only for the marriage of close family members such as a son, daughter, sister or brother. He said even emergency parole is allowed only in specific circumstances and the convict’s own marriage does not qualify under the current rules.
How the High Court opened the door to their marriage
Unwilling to accept the rejection, the convict’s mother approached the Karnataka High Court. In her petition, she argued that her son has reached marriageable age and deserves an opportunity to settle down despite being behind bars.
On 24 September 2025, High Court Justice BM Shyam Prasad gave the verdict in his favor. Citing the Karnataka Prison and Correctional Services Rules 2021, the court directed the prison authorities to grant parole, allowing the prisoner to step out for his marriage.
The decision was seen as a rare example of the justice system recognizing individual milestones even within the strict framework of imprisonment.
The convict was released on parole, got married and returned to jail after the permitted period.
A new argument, this time for marital cooperation
A few months after his marriage, the prisoner made another request. This time, he applied for parole citing marital support and sought temporary release to spend time with his wife.
The petition was framed as a marital rights case, arguing that marriage should not remain merely symbolic for someone serving a long sentence.
However, prison officials were not convinced. He rejected the application saying that parole for personal reasons cannot be extended repeatedly unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Subsequently, the convict’s wife moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the rejection and asked the court to intervene once again.
High Court’s latest stand
The matter came before Justice Suraj Govindaraju. After hearing the petition, the court made its position clear.
Acknowledging the emotional aspect of the request, the judge said parole cannot become a routine privilege and must be strictly regulated under law. The court suggested that the convict may submit a fresh application after six months in line with the existing legal provisions.
In fact, the High Court did not permanently close the door on the request. But made it clear that Honeymoon would not be granted immediate parole.
Where law meets personal life behind bars
The case has sparked quiet conversations about how the justice system balances punishment with human rights.
On one hand, the convict is serving life imprisonment for a serious crime. On the other hand, the court has already accepted her right to marry, setting a precedent that personal life does not completely end at the prison door.
However, the latest decision shows that while compassion has its place, the system also has its limits. The court reminded that parole is an exception, not a right.
A reminder of how far parole can go
To many people this story seems almost unrealistic. A man convicted of murder is getting parole for his wedding, and then he’s seeking parole again for his honeymoon.
But legally it highlights the growing tensions in India’s prison system. As conversations around reform, rehabilitation and human dignity intensify, courts are being asked to draw the lines between compassion and enforcement.
In this case, the Karnataka High Court has opted to stay rather than proceed further, indicating that although second chances may be given, they should come with patience and restraint.
At present, the convict remains in Parappana Agrahara, married but waiting, his honeymoon postponed not by fate but by law.
January 09, 2026, 08:57 IST
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