Jailed Couple Granted Parole for IVF Treatment After 15 Years

A couple serving life sentences for murder has been granted parole to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in their quest to become parents. Jayendra Damor and Sejal Bariya were released after spending over 15 years in separate prisons for the 2010 murder of Bariya’s former boyfriend, Pinakin Patel.

The couple was convicted for conspiring to kill Patel, who had allegedly harassed Bariya while she was a student at a PTC college in Rajkot. Following a breakup with Patel, Bariya began a relationship with Damor. The two lured Patel to a guesthouse in Pavagadh in September 2010, where they killed him. They were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Godhra District Court in 2013.

Now in their late thirties, the couple expressed their desire to have a child, realizing that they would need specialized medical assistance. In 2023, Bariya was first granted parole to pursue treatment for infertility, beginning consultations with a gynecologist in Dahod. Based on reports from the hospital, Damor later petitioned the high court for similar parole to attend medical follow-ups associated with IVF.

On October 16, 2023, the High Court approved Damor’s request for parole after Bariya had already been released for her ongoing IVF process. When the couple appeared before the court on October 28 seeking an extension of their temporary release, Justice H D Suthar considered their plea favorably. He extended their parole period until November 2, 2025, under the same conditions.

The court emphasized that this extension is unlikely to be renewed. It stipulated that Damor must surrender to prison authorities immediately after the expiration of the parole period, indicating that no further extensions would be granted. The decision reflects the court’s consideration of the couple’s medical needs while also upholding the legal boundaries of their sentences.

This case not only highlights the complexities of the legal system but also raises questions about the intersection of personal rights and criminal justice. As the couple embarks on their journey to parenthood, their situation underscores the ongoing discussions surrounding rehabilitation and the rights of incarcerated individuals.