In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted the Union government a final opportunity to file a counter-affidavit in the plea filed by Umadevi, the wife of the late IAS Officer G. Krishnaiah. The plea challenges the premature release of former Member of Parliament (MP) Anand Mohan Singh, who was implicated in the murder of G. Krishnaiah.

The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Vishwanathan posted the matter for further consideration on February 27, 2024. The Union government has been given a week to submit its reply to the allegations raised in Umadevi's plea.

As part of the interim directives, the bench has ordered Anand Mohan Singh to immediately deposit his passport with the local police station. Additionally, Singh is required to record his presence at the said police station every fortnight. These measures aim to ensure Singh's cooperation and monitoring during the ongoing legal proceedings.

This case dates back to the brutal murder of G. Krishnaiah, the then District Magistrate of Gopalganj, Bihar, in December 1994. It is alleged that the murder occurred at the behest of Anand Mohan Singh, who was a gangster-turned-politician at the time. Singh, then an MLA, and his wife were leading a procession, seeking revenge for the killing of a person named Chhotan Shukla.

Umadevi, Krishnaiah's wife, filed a plea challenging the premature release of Anand Mohan Singh, who was initially sentenced to death in 2007. The Patna High Court later modified the sentence to "rigorous imprisonment for life" in 2008, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2012.

The Bihar government, justifying Singh's early release, asserted that the status of the victim should not be a factor in granting or denying remission. It argued that the decision adhered to the relevant provisions of the Prisons Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Umadevi's plea contends that the remission order is arbitrary and unreasonable, violating guidelines for premature release outlined by the Supreme Court. She argues that this has resulted in a denial of justice to the deceased's family, infringing upon their rights under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

The plea further highlights a retrospective amendment to the Bihar Prison Manual in 2023, specifically benefiting Anand Mohan Singh by deleting a crucial phrase related to the murder of a public servant on duty. Umadevi emphasizes that this amendment was tailored to facilitate Singh's premature release, raising questions about its fairness and impartiality.

To substantiate her case, Umadevi relies on Singh's conduct reports from his time in prison, aiming to demonstrate that he is unfit for the grant of remission. The Supreme Court, keenly observing the developments, has granted the Union government a final opportunity to present its stance.

Case: Telugu Umadevi Krishnaiah vs. State of Bihar and Ors.