Sorry the situation in Tihar Jail, the murders happening in jail, says SC; MHA report sought
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it is a “forgiving state” in Tihar Jail, which has become a haven for criminals and murders, while directing the Home Ministry to take immediate steps on prison reforms and enhance management. The top court also expressed displeasure over the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) not filing an action plan and report on the steps taken on the suggestions given by Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana.
The Delhi Police informed the top court that it has registered an FIR against 37 people under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC in connection with the collusion with jailed former promoters of realty firm Unitech, Sanjay and Ajay Chandra.
The Enforcement Directorate recently made a shocking disclosure that it had uncovered a “secret underground office” here, which was being run by former Unitech founder Ramesh Chandra and by his sons Sanjay and Ajay on parole or bail. was visited. Both Sanjay and Ajay, who have been in jail since August 2017, are accused of allegedly misappropriating home buyers’ money.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that the Asthana report recommended installation of CCTV cameras, mobile jammers, body scanners and other security measures in Tihar Jail, but on the compliance of the October 6 order by the MHA, nothing came before it. There is no report. ,
“It is a regrettable situation in Tihar Jail. We read in the newspapers two or three days ago that murder is taking place in jail. It has become a haven for criminals. The Secretary concerned in the MHA should file an action plan and a report on the steps taken so far within three weeks on the suggestions given by Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana,” the bench said.
“Take immediate and prompt action and file a report. No action plan has been submitted on the steps taken so far and no status report has been filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Initially, Additional Solicitor General KM Natraj, appearing for Delhi Police, informed the top court that it has registered an FIR under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code involving 32 jail officials, Chandra as well as an aide. and an ally. Alleged complicity of two of his employees and carrying out unauthorized activities from jail.
He said that the investigation is still on and they will file a report in this regard on the next date of hearing.
Natraj said that Asthana’s report has been sent to the Home Ministry as per the directions of the court and it is under consideration before the ministry.
The bench said, ‘What is the meaning of idea? There are suggestions that some immediate improvements are necessary to the report. There is a need to have body scanners and jammers to ensure that there is no unauthorized use of mobile phones. You should not wait for something to happen in future.” The bench said it will also seek a report from the Delhi government on the suspension of jail officials arrested for collusion.
The top court also perused the report of Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) on Unitech and former promoters’ cases and said the agency should continue its investigation and file a status report within three weeks.
In addition, it sought a report from the Enforcement Directorate, which is probing money laundering charges against the Chandra brothers.
The top court had on October 6, on the basis of Asthana’s report, directed suspension of the Tihar Jail officials, registration of a case against them and a thorough probe into their complicity with the Chandra brothers.
It had directed registration of cases against the Tihar Jail officials and other unidentified persons under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC, according to the report.
It had also directed the suspension of Tihar Jail officials, pending proceedings against whom cases would be registered as per the report, following the ED’s disclosure that the Chandra brothers were doing business from the jail.
The top court had further directed the home ministry to follow Asthana’s suggestions in the report on enhancing prison management.
The ED had said that on August 26, the apex court had directed the transfer of the Chandra brothers from Tihar Jail in the national capital to Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai and Taloja Jail in Maharashtra. ,
The top court, which then perused the two status reports of the ED, said the Tihar Jail superintendent and other staff were “absolutely shameless” for colluding with the Chandra brothers to defy the court’s orders and dilute its jurisdiction. ” Huh.
As per the direction of the top court, the Chandra brothers were shifted to jails in Mumbai. It had directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to personally inquire into the conduct of the Tihar Jail staff with respect to Chandras and submit the report to the court within four weeks.
The ED and the SFIO, the Economic Offenses Wing of Delhi Police, are also probing the Unitech Group cases and business transactions of former promoters of the real estate company.
Read also: 32 Tihar Jail officials found in connivance with jailed ex-promoters of Unitech: Delhi Police
Read also: Supreme Court directs full probe into the complicity of Tihar Jail officials with ex-promoters of Unitech
,