The Supreme Court on Thursday granted liberty to a life convict sentenced under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) to submit a fresh representation seeking remission of sentence, while extending interim protection from coercive action until the State takes a final decision.

A Bench led by the Chief Justice of India was hearing a special leave petition filed by a convict in a 1992 Ahmedabad terror case under Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC, Section 5 of TADA, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. The petitioner was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2002 and has undergone more than 22 years of incarceration.

The plea challenged a Gujarat High Court order dated October 3, 2025, which had quashed the State’s rejection of the petitioner’s remission application and remitted the matter to the competent authority for fresh consideration within eight weeks. The petitioner, aged around 70, argued that this was the fifth occasion on which his remission plea had been sent back for reconsideration and sought interim protection, citing advanced age, long incarceration and medical ailments.

During the hearing, it was pointed out that the petitioner had earlier been granted long parole and had surrendered within time. The Bench recorded that the petitioner was no longer on parole and undertook to furnish fresh bonds if required. The Court directed that the petitioner be permitted to submit a comprehensive fresh representation, which the State authorities shall consider afresh within a period of six weeks.

Taking note of the apprehension that the petitioner may be taken into custody before the representation is decided, the CJI-led Bench extended interim protection from coercive action till the final decision on the remission plea by the State.

With these directions, the Supreme Court disposed of the petition, granting the petitioner liberty to approach the Court again if required after the State’s final decision.