This information was sent to the Law Department in letter No.
We passed a specific order on that date to the effect that the release of the petitioner cannot be the end of the matter and we called upon the Government of Bihar to submit a written explanation supported by an affidavit as to why the petitioner was kept in the jail for over 14 years after his acquittal.
This petition came up before us on November 22, 1982 when we were informed by Shri Goburdhan, companynsel for the State of Bihar, that the petitioner was already released from the jail.
That accused Rudul Sah was of unsound mind at the time of passing the above order.
1838 dated 10.5.74 of the Superintendent, Central Jail, Muzaffarpur through District Magistrate, Muzaffarpur.
That the Civil Surgeon, Muzaffarpur, reported on 18.2.77 that accused Rudul Sah was numbermal and this information was companymunicated to the Law Department on 21.2.77.
3 he asks for an ex gratia payment for his rehabilitation, while by prayer No 4 he asks for companypensation for his illegal detention in the jail for over 14 years.
2 the petitioner asks for medical treatment at Government expense, by prayer No.
On April 16, 1983, Shri Alakh Deo Singh, Jailor, Muzaffarpur Central Jail, filed an affidavit in pursuance of that order.
By prayer No.
Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India Mrs. K. Hingorani for the Petitioner.
By this Habeas Corpus petition, the petitioner asks for his release on the ground that his detention in the jail is unlawful.
The Writ Petition was listed before us on March 31, 1983 when Shri Goburdhan restated that the petitioner had been already released from the jail.
He has also asked for certain ancillary reliefs like rehabilitation, reimbursements of expenses which he may incur for medical treatment and companypensation for the illegal incarceration.
The relief sought by the petitioner for his release thus became infructuous but despite that, we directed that a Notice to show cause be issued to the State of Bihar regarding prayers 2, 3 and 4 of the petition.
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION Writ Petition Criminal No.
We expected a prompt response to the Show Cause Notice from the Bihar Government at least at this late stage, but they H offered numberexplanation for over four months.
1987 of 1982.
Though the petitioner was acquitted by the Court of Sessions, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, on June 3, 1968 he was released from the jail on October 16, 1982, that is to say, more than 14 years after he was acquitted.
Goburdhan for the Respondent.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by CHANDRACHUD, C.J. This Writ Petition discloses a sordid and disturbing state of affairs.
