The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and conduct a full investigation into alleged illegal and corrupt activities in Delhi’s jails, after finding the agency’s preliminary enquiry report “very disturbing.” The report, based on an earlier inspection by a judge and evidence from the petitioner, jail authorities, and others, indicated involvement of both inmates and jail officials in malpractices.
On 13 August 2025, the Court was informed that nine officials from Tihar Jail had been suspended and transferred following allegations of operating an extortion racket in collusion with inmates. Counsel for the Delhi government stated that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against them in accordance with applicable rules. A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a plea alleging irregularities, unlawful conduct, malpractices, and misconduct by prison staff as well as inmates.
In its earlier 2 May 2025 order, the Court had tasked the CBI with a preliminary probe and instructed the Principal Secretary (Home), GNCTD, to carry out an administrative fact-finding enquiry into supervisory lapses and to identify responsible officers. While the CBI has nearly completed its field enquiries and placed its findings for legal scrutiny, the GNCTD sought more time to finish its enquiry.
Appearances:
Petitioner: Mr. Shrey Sherawat, Mr. Yash Chaturvedi, Ms. Akansha Mehta, Ms. Ishita Mishra and Mr. Himanshu Sihag, Advocates.
Respondent: Mr. Rahul Tyagi, ASC (Crl) with Mr. Sangeet Sibou, Mr. Priyansh Raj Singh Senger and Mr. Aniket Kumar Singh, Advocates for State.
Mr. Anupam S Sharrma, SPP with Ms. Harpreet Kalsi, Mr. Vashisht Rao, Mr. Ripudaman Sharma, Ms. Riya Sachdeva, Mr. Vijesh Jain and Mr. Anant Mishra, Advocates for CBI.
Mr. Ravinder Kumar Bharti, Insp. CBI/ACB/Delhi.