Case Note & Summary
The case concerns the escape of four under-trial prisoners from Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh, on the night of 21-22 January 2004. The prisoners escaped by digging a 94-foot tunnel, which was described in an enquiry committee report as a professionally done job with vertical and horizontal sections. The appellant, Ved Mitter Gill, then Deputy Superintendent of Police, Model Jail, and other petitioners who were jail staff (including Dalbir Singh Sandhu, Paramjit Singh Rana, Nishan Singh, and Inder Singh) were on duty at the time. An FIR was registered and an enquiry committee was constituted to examine the lapses and suggest remedial measures. The appellant filed a civil writ petition before the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, which was dismissed on 1 May 2006. He then filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court, which was granted. Additionally, four cases from the High Court involving similar facts and legal issues were transferred to the Supreme Court to be heard together. The Supreme Court proposed to dispose of all matters through a common order, but the judgment extract ends without detailing the court's analysis or decision.
Issue of Consideration
Case Details
2015 LawText (SC) (03) 104
Civil Appeal No. 3194 of 2015 (Arising out of SLP (C) No.20379 of 2006)
Union Territory Administration, Chandigarh and others
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Nature of Litigation
Civil appeal arising from a writ petition regarding departmental action against jail officials following the escape of under-trial prisoners.
Remedy Sought
Appellant sought relief from the Supreme Court against the High Court's dismissal of his writ petition.
Filing Reason
The High Court dismissed Civil Writ Petition No. 5682 of 2006 on 1 May 2006, prompting the appellant to file a Special Leave Petition.
Previous Decisions
High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh dismissed Civil Writ Petition No. 5682 of 2006 on 1 May 2006.
Judgment Excerpts
In January 2004, appellant-Ved Mitter Gill was holding charge of the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh.
The 94 feet long and about 21” x 21” broad tunnel was a very professionally done job.
Procedural History
Following the escape of four under-trial prisoners from Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh on 21-22 January 2004, an FIR was registered and an Enquiry Committee was constituted. The appellant, Ved Mitter Gill, then Deputy Superintendent of Police, and other jail staff filed a civil writ petition before the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, which was dismissed on 1 May 2006. He then filed a Special Leave Petition, which was granted, and together with four transferred cases from the High Court, was taken up for hearing by the Supreme Court.
