Delhi High Court orders CBI probe into Tihar jail 'extortion racket'

Delhi High Court orders CBI inquiry into extortion racket in Tihar Jail, citing serious administrative and supervisory lapses.

The Delhi High Court on Friday (May 2, 2025) ordered the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry over allegations of an extortion racket being run inside Tihar Jail involving its officials.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Delhi government, to hold a fact-finding inquiry and find out the officials responsible for the administrative and supervisory lapses in Tihar.

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"The petition highlights certain irregularities, illegalities, malpractices and misconduct not only on part of the jail authorities but also inmates, The allegations are as serious as that in connivance with jail authorities extortion racket was going on in jail premises for procuring certain facilities," the court observed.

The Bench said a report of the inspecting judge, Central Jail 8 and Semi Open Prison, tendered to it in a sealed cover after a "thorough" inquiry, revealed "very disturbing facts" indicating criminal activities and irregularities in the functioning of Tihar Jail.

"For thoroughly conducting an inquiry into the matter, since the report (of inspecting judge) contained allegations of criminal activities,we deem it appropriate to require the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the matter," the court ordered.

The Bench went on, "We also deem it appropriate to direct Principal Secretary, Home, GNCTD to conduct an administrative inquiry to find out the officials/officers/authorities responsible for such administrative lapses and mishappenings in jail." The director general (DG) Delhi prisons should extend all cooperation to the principal secretary, it added.