Supreme Court grants freedom to 105-year-old murder convict

The Supreme Court of India has finalized its decision to grant permanent freedom to Rasik Chandra Mondal, a 105-year-old murder convict. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, ruled to close the case and waive any remaining portion of his life sentence due to his advanced age.

Mondal, originally from the Malda district of West Bengal, was convicted in 1994 for the 1988 murder of his brother, Suresh Mondal, following a property dispute. He had been in custody until November 29, 2024, when the court initially granted him interim bail, citing age-related health issues.

While previous appeals to the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court had been dismissed, Mondal filed a plea for premature release in 2020 at the age of 99. The court has now made the interim bail order absolute, ensuring he will not be returned to custody.