Delhi Government Suspends Nine Tihar Jail Staff Amid Extortion Investigation; High Court Orders Police to File Report
NEW DELHI, India – August 13, 2025:The Delhi government told the High Court that they’ve suspended nine Tihar jail staff members and started disciplinary actions because they’re suspected of being involved in an extortion scheme with prisoners. This action comes after the High Court pushed for it and a preliminary CBI investigation turned up enough to order a police report (FIR). This could be a big moment in a long case that’s revealed widespread corruption in India’s biggest prison.
Quick Action After Court Questions
The suspensions were put in writing and given to Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. They had earlier criticized the government for taking so long to act on the claims. The court’s scolding on Monday forced the government to take quick action.
Sanjay Lao, the Delhi government’s lawyer, told the court that the staff were suspended and moved from Jail No. 1 as a precaution. Disciplinary actions have begun under government rules. The government has two months to give a full update.
Investigation Started with Prisoner’s Complaint
This whole thing started with a complaint from former prisoner Mohit Kumar Goyal. He was arrested for cheating and wanted an outside investigation into an organized extortion ring inside the jail. Goyal’s complaint, from last September, brought the alleged corruption to the court’s attention.
The High Court took the claims seriously and ordered an internal look at Tihar Jail. A judge was appointed to look into the claims and write a sealed report. This report, from April 7, showed worrying and shocking facts pointing to problems and illegal stuff.
Evidence Shows Resources Being Abused
The judge’s report had key evidence, showing that the official jail landline was being misused. The report said that the number was being used by certain people for shady stuff. This pointed to jail staff and some prisoners working together.
After looking at the report on May 2, the court told the CBI to do a preliminary investigation. At the same time, it told the Principal Secretary (Home) of the Delhi government to do a separate investigation to find staff responsible for slip-ups. The CBI’s later report confirmed that staff and prisoners were involved in all sorts of illegal and corrupt things.
Court Angry, Demands Accountability
The High Court was shocked and seriously concerned about what they found. The judges said it was unacceptable that some prisoners were getting illegal things while others didn’t even have the basics. The court’s words showed the system was failing and unfair.
This anger led to the court’s order on Monday, August 11, telling the CBI to file a formal police report. The court wanted a full and independent investigation into the alleged illegal activities. The next court date is October 28, where the government and CBI should give updates.
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What This Means for Prisons
These suspensions and the investigation aren’t random. They show a bigger problem of corruption in India’s prisons. Tihar Jail, the biggest in South Asia, has often faced these claims. This case could set a standard for more court and government checks.
The alleged extortion ring involved jail staff, prisoners, and people outside the prison. The goal was to get illegal money for special treatment that shouldn’t be allowed. This included access to phones, which goes against the point of being in jail.
Tihar’s History
This isn’t the first time Tihar Jail has been under the microscope. In recent years, the prison has been hit with claims of wrongdoing. One big case involved former Unitech owners Sanjay and Ajay Chandra, who were accused of getting special treatment from jail staff.
In that case, the Supreme Court stepped in, moving the owners and investigating the involved jail staff. The long suspensions of staff in these cases have also raised worries about money since suspended staff still get paid. This history shows problems and corruption in the prison system keep happening.
Discipline and Legal Stuff
The nine suspended staff now face an internal investigation and a criminal investigation by the CBI. The internal actions could lead to them losing their jobs, while the CBI’s report could lead to criminal charges. This two-way approach makes sure both slip-ups and possible crimes are looked at.
The court’s demand that discipline be strictly followed tells the government to follow the rules. It shows that the High Court will be watching to make sure the investigation is thorough and legal. This makes sure the result is open and fair.
Changes and the Future
This situation puts pressure on the Delhi government and Tihar Jail to make real, lasting changes. The court also told the government to tell all Delhi jails to stop similar things from happening. This suggests a system-wide approach to fixing corruption, not just a one-time fix.
What happens in this case will decide the future of prison management in Delhi. It could lead to better checks, more openness, and stronger systems for reporting and investigating wrongdoing. The next hearing on October 28 will show how things are going and give a glimpse into the future of accountability in India’s prisons.
