9 Tihar Jail Officials Suspended In Alleged 'Extortion Racket' Case: Delhi Govt Informs High Court

The Delhi Government informed the High Court on Wednesday (August 13) that it has initiated disciplinary proceedings against nine Tihar jail officials over allegations of extortion racket being run inside the jail involving its officials and inmates.

On Monday, the high court had told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR. 

Today the counsel appearing for the Delhi government informed a division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against nine officials and they have been suspended. 

"Within 2 months, we will file a report. They have been transferred from Jail 1...," the counsel said. 

The court at this stage orally said, "please follow disciplinary rules strictly as per law". 

The court in its order dictated, "...steps have been taken including disciplinary action against jail officials who have been placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings under CCS rules".

The court thereafter granted eight weeks time to the government and the CBI to file status report in the matter. 

The matter is listed on October 28. 

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.

On May 02, the Court had 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.

It had also directed CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the allegations.

The plea further alleges that in order to procure certain facilities within the jail, persons inside and outside jails acted in cahoots with the jail authorities to extort money.

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