Alleged extortion racket: 9 Tihar jail officials suspended, HC told

The Delhi High Court was informed on Wednesday that nine Tihar jail officials have been suspended and disciplinary proceedings initiated against them over allegations of an extortion racket involving prison staff and inmates.

The submission was made by the Delhi Government’s counsel before a Division Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who heard the matter two days after directing the Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR in the case.

The counsel told the Bench that the action included transferring the officials from Jail No. 1, and a detailed report would be filed within two months.

The court, while noting these submissions, orally remarked that disciplinary rules must be followed strictly in accordance with the law. In its written order, the Bench recorded that measures had been taken, including the suspension of jail officials and initiation of disciplinary proceedings under the Central Civil Services (CCS) rules.

Eight-week time was granted to both Delhi Government and the CBI to file a status report. The case will now be heard on October 28.

The proceedings stem from a petition alleging illegal practices and misconduct by both jail authorities and inmates. The plea claimed that individuals inside and outside the prison colluded with jail staff to extort money in exchange for providing certain facilities within the premises.

On May 2, the High Court had directed the Delhi Government’s Principal Secretary (Home) to carry out a fact-finding inquiry to identify officials responsible for administrative lapses inside Tihar. The court had also asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the allegations.