Kerala HC Grants 10-Day Leave To Life Convict For Law College Internship [Read Judgment]

Kerala: The Kerala High Court has granted 10 days’ leave to a life convict to attend his law college internship, emphasizing the right of prisoners to pursue education and complete the practical requirements of their academic courses.

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan delivered the judgment on September 8, 2025, in WP(Crl.) No. 1170 of 2025, allowing the petition filed by Karuvangadan Mukthar @ Muthu, a 38-year-old life convict undergoing imprisonment at the Central Prison and Correctional Centre, Kannur.

The petitioner, who was convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder, is currently pursuing a three-year LLB course at KMCT Law College, Kuttippuram, and attending classes online. The court was informed that “as part of the 4th semester internship, which is scheduled from 10.09.2025 to 16.09.2025, the petitioner has to be personally present in various institutions during this period as part of the internship.”

The petitioner had applied for leave before the Superintendent of Central Prison, Kannur, but his request was not considered, prompting him to approach the High Court through this writ petition.

Justice Kunhikrishnan relied heavily on the Division Bench judgment in Pattakka Suresh Babu v. State of Kerala [2024 (1) KHC 55], which established important precedents regarding prisoners’ educational rights. The court noted that the Division Bench had observed that “a prisoner who intends to pursue his studies should be allowed to pursue his studies through online, and for other internal examinations, the prisoner should be granted leave.”

The court distinguished the present case from the judgment in Balamurali N. v. Inspector of Police [2025 KHC Online 1716], which was cited by the Public Prosecutor. Justice Kunhikrishnan stated, “I think the dictum laid down in Balamurali’s case (supra) is not applicable in the present case.”

In granting the relief, Justice Kunhikrishnan observed, “I am of the considered opinion that the petitioner should be given leave in the light of the observation of the Division Bench in Pattakka Suresh Babu’s case (supra).”

The court granted comprehensive relief beyond what was initially sought, directing the Superintendent of Central Prison, Kannur, “to grant ordinary leave to the petitioner for a period of 10 days from 09.09.2025 to 18.09.2025 on executing a bond for ₹1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh Only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the jail authorities.”

Considering the urgency of the matter, with the internship scheduled to begin on September 10, 2025, Justice Kunhikrishnan directed that “the Registry will issue a copy of the judgment today itself.”

Case Title: Karuvangadan Mukthar @ Muthu vs. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Kannur & Others

[Read Judgment]