The Delhi High Court today granted three weeks parole to former ACP S S Rathi, serving life term along with nine other policemen for killing two businessmen after mistaking them to be gangsters in 1997.
Justice Gita Mittal allowed Rathi to stay out of jail for 21 days to enable him to sit for his MSc (Forensic Science) second year examination.
"Considering the facts of the case and the arguments addressed by the counsel for the petitioner (Rathi) as well as in view of the status report filed by concerned authorities, as the petitioner was earlier also granted parole, therefore, the relief sought by the petitioner is granted," the judge said.
The court directed Rathi to furnish a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount.
It also said that the petitioner be allowed to go only at the satisfaction of Tihar Jail Superintendent.
The court order came on a plea filed Rathi seeking one month's parole on the ground that he had to prepare and appear in the second year examination of MSc (Forensic Science) being conducted by Global Open University (Distance Education Programme), Nagaland, to be held from June 19.
On his plea, the court had on June 11 pulled up the Delhi government for its delay in deciding the request for parole by Rathi, who is serving life term along with others for broad daylight fake encounter of two businessmen. The two were mistaken for gangsters and shot dead in Connaught Place in Delhi 17 years ago.
CBI was directed to verify the request and inform it by today, whether Rathi is appearing in the exam or not.
The agency today informed the court that there are two centres in Delhi for the exam.
The Supreme Court had in 2012 upheld the conviction and life sentence of 10 Delhi Police officials, including Rathi, in the case.
