Delhi High Court Orders CBI Probe into Tihar Jail Extortion Racket and Administrative Lapses
Delhi High Court Orders CBI Probe into Tihar Jail Extortion Racket and Administrative Lapses
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary enquiry into an alleged extortion racket and serious administrative lapses inside Tihar Jail. The directive comes in response to a public interest litigation raising grave concerns about the functioning and integrity of the prison administration.
The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioner alleged that Tihar Jail lacks basic surveillance mechanisms such as CCTV recordings and e-mulaqaat (electronic visitation) facilities. He further claimed that there is no independent authority to oversee prison operations and that inmates and their families are subjected to systematic extortion, with most victims too fearful to come forward.
The Court noted, “This petition raises certain issues regarding the manner in which Tihar Jail is functioning. It highlights irregularities, illegalities, malpractices, and misconduct not only on the part of jail authorities but also by the inmates.”
The judges observed that the allegations suggest a serious extortion racket operating within the jail, where certain facilities are allegedly made available in exchange for money—pointing to collusion between insiders and external actors.
In light of the seriousness of the claims, the Court had earlier ordered the Inspecting Judge of Tihar Jail to conduct an independent inspection. A detailed report was submitted in a sealed cover and later reviewed by the bench.
“The facts revealed are disturbing and startling, exposing not only irregularities and illegalities in the jail’s functioning but also pointing to criminal activities operating from within,” the Court remarked.
The report, based on a firsthand enquiry by the Inspecting Judge who interviewed inmates and jail authorities, also included an analysis of call detail records (CDRs). Shockingly, it was found that even the official landline number of the jail had been misused for nefarious activities. The report also raised suspicions regarding the conduct of the petitioner.
Taking cognizance of these findings, the Court has proposed a two-pronged approach:
- CBI Enquiry:
The Court has directed the CBI to carry out a preliminary enquiry into the criminal aspects highlighted in the report. The CBI will be provided with the original sealed-cover report and additional materials submitted by the petitioner and jail authorities. Both parties are permitted to submit further evidence during the enquiry. - Administrative Enquiry:
The Principal Secretary (Home), Government of NCT of Delhi, has been instructed to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the administrative failures within the prison. The Director General (Prisons), Delhi, has been ordered to fully cooperate. The administrative report must not only document systemic failures but also identify the officials responsible.
The office of the High Court has been directed to submit all relevant materials to the CBI within a week. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for August 11, 2025.
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