Delhi High Court: Denial Of Parole To Perform Parents’ Last Rites Violates Article 21

The Delhi High Court held that denying a convict parole to perform the last rites of a parent amounts to violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court observed that the right to dignity extends to both life and death, and performance of last rites is deeply tied to cultural and religious sentiments. Refusing parole in such circumstances would result in irreparable trauma and infringe on fundamental rights. The ruling directs prison authorities to adopt a humane approach in granting parole for such occasions, balancing societal interest with human dignity.