Supreme Court Issues Notice in Hisar Family Murder Case Premature Release Petition
The Supreme Court of India has taken cognizance of a significant legal challenge concerning the premature release of convicts in a high-profile murder case from Hisar, Haryana. A division bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma has formally issued notice on a petition that contests the Punjab and Haryana High Court's recent order regarding the potential early release of Sonia and her husband, Sanjeev.
Legal Proceedings and Court Directives
The convicts are currently serving life imprisonment sentences for their involvement in the brutal murder of eight members of the Reluram Poonia family back in 2001. The apex court has directed the respondents to submit their detailed replies by March 9, setting the stage for further judicial examination of this emotionally charged case.
While the Supreme Court did not grant a stay on the High Court's order that had directed the competent authority to reconsider the matter of premature release, it did impose crucial restrictions. The bench explicitly restrained the authorities from publishing or implementing any final decision on this sensitive issue until the petition receives a full hearing before the Supreme Court.
Legal Representation and Clarifications
Advocates Aina Verma and Lal Bahadur Khowal, representing the nephews of victim Reluram Poonia—Jitendra, Kaushal, Satpal, and Kamal—provided important clarifications about the court's order. They emphasized that the Supreme Court's restraint specifically applies to the publication and implementation of any final decision regarding premature release. The High Court's directive to the competent authority to reconsider the matter remains operative and is not stayed by this interim order.
Case Background and Judicial History
The legal saga traces back to August 23, 2001, when Sonia and Sanjeev committed the horrific crime at a farmhouse in Litani village of Hisar district. The murder spree, motivated by a property dispute, claimed eight lives including Sonia's father Reluram Poonia (50), mother Krishna Devi (41), sister Priyanka (14), brother Sunil (23), sister-in-law Shakuntala (20), nephew Lokesh (4), nieces Shivani (2), and 45-day-old infant Preeti.
The judicial journey has been complex and lengthy:
- A Hisar court initially sentenced both convicts to death
- Their mercy petitions were subsequently rejected by the President of India
- In 2014, the Supreme Court commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment, citing undue delay in the disposal of their mercy petitions
Recent Developments and Current Status
On December 9 last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted interim bail to Sonia and Sanjeev while also directing the competent authority to make a decision on their premature release within two months. This development prompted the victims' family members to approach the Supreme Court, leading to the current legal challenge.
The Supreme Court's latest intervention effectively puts on hold any potential implementation of a decision regarding premature release until the matter receives comprehensive judicial scrutiny. This case continues to highlight the delicate balance between judicial processes, victims' rights, and considerations of premature release within India's criminal justice system.
