The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into serious allegations of an extortion racket being run inside Tihar Jail with the alleged involvement of jail officials.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order while hearing a petition filed by a former inmate, who claimed that extortion and other illegal activities were rampant inside the prison, allegedly with the connivance of prison staff.
“The petition highlights certain irregularities, illegalities, malpractices and misconduct not only on part of the jail authorities but also inmates,” the court observed. “The allegations are as serious as that in connivance with jail authorities extortion racket was going on in jail premises for procuring certain facilities.”
The bench noted that a sealed report submitted by the inspecting judge of Central Jail No. 8 and the Semi-Open Prison had brought to light “very disturbing facts” indicating the presence of criminal activity and gross irregularities in the functioning of the jail.
In response, the court directed the CBI to initiate a preliminary inquiry based on the findings of the inspecting judge’s report. It also asked the petitioner and jail authorities to submit relevant documents and materials to the investigating agency.
Separately, the court instructed the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), to conduct an administrative and fact-finding inquiry to identify the officials responsible for the lapses. The Director General of Prisons was directed to fully cooperate in the inquiry.
The court also noted that call data records showed communication between inmates and individuals outside the prison, with the jail’s official landline being misused for “promoting nefarious activities.”
While acknowledging that the inspecting judge’s report even raised concerns about the petitioner’s conduct, the bench stated that the CBI’s inquiry would proceed independently and fairly, considering all materials and submissions from both the petitioner and the jail administration.
Both the CBI and the Principal Secretary, Home, have been asked to submit their respective reports before the next hearing scheduled for August 11.
