STATE OF HARYANA vs MAHENDER SINGH .

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court declaring the Haryana Government's circular on premature release of prisoners unconstitutional. The Court emphasized that the rules under the Prisons Act, 1894, particularly Rules 20 and 21, must be followed, which stipulate the conditions under which life convicts may be released. The Court reiterated that any release must comply with Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, ensuring that the statutory provisions are adhered to in matters of prisoner release.