#Rule 22

The Madras HC held that 'spell' in Rule 22(2)(c) of the TN Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 means an instalment, entitling prisoners to forty days of leave in two instalments, and granted the petitioner fourteen days of leave without escort.

A charge-sheet issued after a fifteen-year lapse was set aside, with the court ruling that the condonation doctrine under Rule 22 of the 1965 Conduct Rules cannot justify such delay. This safeguards civil servants from stale disciplinary actions and reinforces timely compliance with procedural timelines.