In a judgment steeped in empathy and nuance, the Kerala High Court opened the prison gates—if only briefly—for a father serving a life sentence. The reason: his son needed him. With admission season looming and decisions that shape futures on the line, the Court ruled that a convict’s parental responsibilities don’t vanish behind prison walls.
Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, presiding over the matter, granted a week’s emergency parole to a life convict lodged in the Central Prison, Malappuram. The convict’s son had just aced his SSLC exams—six A+ grades and two As—and stood at the threshold of higher secondary education. His mother petitioned the court, arguing that her husband’s support was crucial at this pivotal moment.
The jail authorities had previously refused the parole plea, stating no such category existed in the rulebook. The High Court thought otherwise.
“A father’s presence isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline,” the judge noted. “Conviction curtails rights, not parenthood. A bright young boy shouldn’t be denied his father’s guidance just because fate dealt his family a difficult hand.”
The judgment pulled no punches in underlining that rehabilitation doesn’t mean stripping away one’s humanity. “Let this child—who worked hard and achieved six A+—go to his next academic milestone with both parents by his side,” the Court said, naming the boy only as XXXX. “Let the blessings of his father walk with him into the next chapter of his education.”
With that, the Court cleared the way for a seven-day leave. Not a pardon, not a reprieve—just a sliver of time for a father to help shape his son’s tomorrow.
While the state was represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Hrithwik CS, a team of advocates stood for the petitioner, pressing a case that went beyond legality—into the realm of compassion.
In a world quick to judge, the Court reminded us that even those who’ve stumbled can still help others climb.
