ARJUN JADAV vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL & ORS.

The Supreme Court ruled that the petitioner, convicted under Section 302/34 IPC, is entitled to consideration for premature release under the West Bengal Jail Code after serving more than 20 years in custody, including remission. The Court emphasized that imprisonment for life should be equated to a term of 20 years as per the explanation to Section 61 of the West Bengal Correctional Services Act, 1992. The Court held that the State's failure to consider the petitioner's eligibility for release violated his statutory rights, leading to the conclusion that his continued detention is unlawful.