Madras HC Awards ₹3.5 Lakh to Man Jailed for 8 Months After Acquittal, Orders Tamil Kiosks in Prisons
In a strong move to protect prisoner rights, the Madras High Court has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay an interim compensation of ₹3.5 lakh to a man who was kept in jail for eight months after being acquitted.
The Court also directed the installation of user-friendly kiosk machines in all prisons across the state. These kiosks must support the Tamil language, so that inmates can easily check their case status and legal updates.
The decision came after it was found that a man named Chokkar, convicted in a murder case, was wrongfully detained even after his co-accused Mayilraj had appealed and was acquitted. The Court held that Chokkar should have also been released since the grounds for conviction were the same.
However, due to lack of legal awareness, Chokkar and his father were unaware of their rights and the acquittal. Authorities admitted that the court’s acquittal order did not name Chokkar, but they agreed it was no valid reason to keep him jailed.
The High Court, led by Justice Sunder Mohan, emphasized that the man was entitled to compensation based on the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Rudul Shah v. State of Bihar. It also clarified that the petitioner may file for additional damages if needed.
Further, the Court asked for:
- A status report on installing kiosks in all jails
- Updates on appointing legal aid advocates to help inmates know and exercise their rights
This ruling sheds light on the urgent need to make the justice system more accessible, transparent, and humane, especially for those behind bars.
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