Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has made it clear that the convicts in the Mandar Surlakar murder case cannot be released unless they first deposit the fine imposed as part of their sentence, while clarifying that no order directing their immediate release has been passed.
The observation came during proceedings related to the convicts’ plea for premature release after serving the required period of imprisonment.
The court noted that payment of the fine is a mandatory condition attached to the sentence and must be complied with before any release process can move forward.
The bench further clarified that its order should not be interpreted as granting the convicts immediate freedom, as the issue of their premature release remains subject to the applicable legal procedure and fulfilment of all conditions.
The case pertains to the abduction and murder of law student Mandar Surlakar in 2006.
The accused were later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, and their applications for premature release have been under judicial consideration.
