General parole cannot exceed 90 days under the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual.

The petitioner, a convicted prisoner whose appeal was pending, had been granted 60 days’ general parole from 9 July to 7 September 2026 and a further 30 days from 8 September to 7 October 2026.

He sought a further 30-day extension from 8 October, citing his mother’s eye surgery on 16 September 2026; his counsel asked the Court to consider two weeks instead.

The State opposed the request on the ground that the petitioner had exhausted the maximum 90-day parole period.

Whether the petitioner’s general parole could be extended beyond 90 days under the applicable prison rules.

Whether the petitioner’s mother’s eye surgery provided sufficient grounds for a further parole extension.

The petition invoked the High Court’s jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution.

The Court applied Clause 640 of Chapter XXXIV of the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual, 2021, which permits general parole initially for up to 30 days, extendable by up to a further 60 days, subject to a total maximum of 90 days; the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services is the competent authority to grant general parole.

The 2021 Manual had replaced the Karnataka Prison Manual, 1978.

The petitioner had already received the maximum 90 days of parole permitted by Clause 640.

Although his mother underwent eye surgery while he was on parole, and he had cared for her from the date of surgery until his parole ended, the Court held that this circumstance did not justify an extension beyond the Manual’s prescribed maximum.

It directed the petitioner to surrender before the prison authorities on 7 October 2026.