The Delhi High Court, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a First Information Report (FIR) over allegations of an extortion racket operating within Tihar Jail involving both prison officials and inmates.The bench was hearing a plea highlighting rampant illegal activities and misconduct inside the prison.

The petition alleges that irregularities, illegalities, and misconduct were prevalent, involving both jail authorities and inmates. It further claims that individuals inside and outside the prison acted in collusion with jail officials to extort money in exchange for certain facilities within the jail.

Expressing concern, the bench observed that the allegations about everything unfolding inside the jail were “astonishing” warranting “serious thinking” by the government.

The bench examined the status report as well as the preliminary inquiry conducted by the Delhi Government's Principal Secretary (Home). During the proceedings, the court stated, “Having perused the status report and the preliminary inquiry report, we direct that based on the same, an FIR or RC be launched by the CBI and investigation be carried out.”

The judges further instructed the CBI to present the steps taken in response to these allegations at the next hearing, with the information to be submitted in a sealed cover.

Earlier, on May 2, the court had directed the Delhi Government's Principal Secretary (Home) to conduct a fact-finding enquiry to identify the officials responsible for administrative lapses in the jail. It had also asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations.

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