105-year-old murder convict walks free as Supreme Court orders early release

The Supreme Court on Friday freed 105-year-old murder convict Rasik Chandra Mondal, waiving his remaining life sentence due to his advanced age and health.

In Short

• 105-year-old murder convict Rasik Chandra Mondal freed by SC
• Interim bail granted in 2024 made final and absolute
• Convicted in 1994 for brother's murder over property dispute

A 105-year-old murder convict will now live as a free man after the Supreme Court on Friday closed the case against him and waived the remaining period of his life sentence, taking into account his advanced age and health condition.

The court also expressed surprise that Mondal had lived beyond the age of 100 and remained in a position to give legal instructions in his case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it was closing the case against Rasik Chandra Mondal and waiving his remaining sentence, if any, considering his age.

“Even if the life sentence is not over, he will not be taken back in custody,” Chief Justice Surya Kant said. The bench also made the interim bail order granted to Mondal in 2024 absolute and final.

Mondal was born in 1920 in West Bengal's Malda district. He faced allegations of murdering his brother, Suresh Mondal, in 1988 following a property dispute.

A court convicted Mondal in 1994 when he was 74 years old and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He remained in jail until November 29, 2024, when the Supreme Court granted him interim bail.

The Calcutta High Court dismissed his appeal against the conviction in 2018. Mondal later approached the Supreme Court, which also dismissed his plea.

In 2020, at the age of 99, Mondal filed a plea seeking premature release, citing his advanced age and age-related ailments. In May 2021, the Supreme Court issued notice to the West Bengal government in the matter.

The Supreme Court had noted Mondal's age-related health issues while considering his plea. In November 2024, it directed his release on interim bail or parole during the pendency of the writ petition, subject to terms and conditions fixed by the trial court.

The top court has now brought the legal proceedings to an end and waived any remaining period of his life sentence. With the interim bail made absolute, Mondal will not return to custody and can spend the rest of his life as a free citizen.

- Ends
With inputs from PTI.