Delhi High Court Directs CBI To Conduct Preliminary Enquiry Into Alleged 'Extortion Racket' Inside Tihar Jail

The Delhi High Court on Friday (May 2) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary enquiry over the allegations of extortion racket being run inside the Tihar jail.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also directed Delhi Government's Principal Secretary (Home) to conduct a fact finding enquiry to find out the officials responsible for administrative lapses inside the jail.

The Court was dealing with a plea raising the issue of illegalities, malpractices and misconduct not only on the part of jail authorities but also on part of the inmates.

Earlier, the Court had directed the inspecting judge of Tihar jail to file a report. Today, the Bench perused the report filed in a sealed cover.

The Court said that the report revealed “disturbing” facts about the irregularities as well as criminal activities going inside the Tihar jail.

“For thoroughly conducting an inquiry into the matter, since the report contained allegations of criminal activities, we deem it appropriate to require the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the matter,” the Court said.

It added that the DG Prisons shall extend all cooperation in the matter.

“The inquiry shall reflect on the various administrative lapses/supervisory lapses and shall clearly indicate officials in jail responsible for such lapses,” the Court said.

The matter will now be heard on August 11. 

Title: Mohit Kumar Goyal v. State of NCT of Delhi And Ors

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 504