"We are of the view that a grave urgency is involved in the petition considering their age and condition," observed Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Sadhana Jadhav recently.
80-year-old Hausabai Koli, convicted for murdering her daughter-in-law for dowry, has spent over 17 years in jail. She has pleaded for premature release saying her daughter and grandson were keen to take her home.
The health report of Koli, prepared by medical officer of Kolhapur prison, recommended her release on the ground that she suffered from illness due to old age and that she may not live long.
Another 90-year-old convict Champa Kamble has pleaded for release to spend the rest of her life with her near and dear ones.
Both convicts wrote letters to the High Court from Kolhapur jail, where they are serving their sentence, urging for release.
Additional Public Prosecutor Poornima Kantharia informed the Court that the plea of both convicts were pending before the Governor. Thereupon, the court asked the authority to consider their plea urgently in view of their old age.
Advocate Arfan Sait, who was appointed by the High Court's legal aid cell, said under the Maharashtra Prison Review of Sentence Rules, 1972,a medical officer can recommend early release of a convict on the ground that he or she is suffering from illness which may aggravate the condition or result in death.
