18 hours Ago By R Sivakumar
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday granted interim bail to John David, convicted and sentenced to double life in the sensational murder of medical student Pon Navarasu in the medical college of Annamalai University in 1996, while quashing a government order rejecting his application for premature release. A division bench of Justices SM Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam passed the orders on a petition filed by his mother Dr Esther. David's application for premature release was accepted by the state government but it was rejected by the Governor.
Subsequently, the government issued another GO rejecting the application. Holding that the Governor is bound to accept the decision of state Cabinet under Article 161 of the Constitution, the bench found no justification for the Governor's decision. Quashing the rejection order, the bench ordered the government to reconsider the application as expeditiously as possible.
The murder of Navarasu, son of former Vice-Chancellor Dr PK Ponnusamy of the University of Madras shook the state. His mutilated body parts was found from different places. The murder was a fallout of ragging in the institution.
David was the senior student. The petition was filed by David's mother seeking to quash the GO (559) of the Home department passed on May 8, 2024 rejecting the application for premature release. A Cuddalore court sentenced him to double life on two counts under 302 and 364 IPC in 1998.
The Madras High Court overturned the verdict in 2001 but the Supreme Court, on an appeal, reversed the High Court order, and confirmed the trial court verdict in 2011. He applied for premature release in 2018 but it was rejected. The application made again early this year was accepted by the state government but the Governor rejected it.
David has been incarcerated for about 17 years; currently locked up in the Puzhal Central Prison. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate S Manoharan assisted by K Akshaya, submitted that the government has formulated a scheme under the 2023 GO (430) for premature release and David has fulfilled the eligibility requirements. And so, there is no valid grounds for rejecting the application for premature release.
Moreover, he pointed out that David has been certified for good conduct by the Prison officials and has been ready for reinstatement into the society..
