CHENNAI: The story of a woman advocate marrying a life convict, who is in jail for 12 years in a murder case, may seem straight out of a film. But Chennai will witness one such marriage on February 2, when 27-year-old advocate A Aruna marries 38-year-old Somasundaram, alias Somu, at a marriage hall in Vyasarpadi.

The bride herself filed a petition in the Madras high court, seeking 30 days’ special leave from prison for her groom. On Friday, a division bench, comprising Justice S Rajeswaran and Justice P N Prakash, passing orders on Bhuvana’s habeas corpus plea, granted Somu 10 days’ leave.

He will be released from the Puzhal prison at 4pm on February 1, the judges said, adding that he should return to the prison at 7pm on February 10. Necessary escorts should be provided for his safety and security during the leave period, they said.

“Aruna is distantly related to Somu, whom she met several times in prison. Somu was found guilty, along with several others, in the sensational murder of former MLA M K Balan. Their appeals are pending before the Supreme Court,” Aruna’s counsel P Pugalenthi told TOI.

In her petition, Aruna said Somu was her uncle and that their betrothal took place on January 17. The marriage is scheduled to take place between 7.30am and 8.30am at Vyasarpadi in Chennai, she said.

Noting that she had written to the home secretary, additional director general of police (prisons) and the prison superintendent seeking one month’s leave for Somu, she said she had moved the court earlier for a direction to the jail authorities to consider her representation and pass appropriate orders.

Additional public prosecutor told the court that Aruna’s petition had been considered favourably and the jail authorities had given one-day leave for Somu to participate in the wedding. He will be released on February 2 morning and he shall return the same evening after the wedding, he said.

Not amused, the judges pointed out that the jail authorities had certified in July 2012 that Somu had conducted himself well in prison and that he had also been participating in yoga and meditation classes regularly. They further said Somu had availed himself of educational facilities inside the prison and spent his time usefully.

“The detenue has been in prison for more than 10 years and has shown good behaviour. So far, there are no complaints against him,” the judges said. Holding that one-day leave for marriage would not be sufficient, the judges then granted him 10 days’ leave.

Somu is the second accused in the 2001 Balan murder case. The former AIADMK MLA went missing after going for a morning walk. After his son Manimaran moved the high court, police swung into action and cracked the case. Probe revealed that Balan was murdered and cremated by the gang. Most of the accused were awarded imprisonment for life.