HC asks CBI to probe Tihar's extortion row

Very disturbing and startling facts have been revealed, pointing to illegalities in functioning of jail... DELHI HIGH COURT

- Shruti Kakkar

NEW DELHI: Calling out the "disturbing and startling facts" that emerged from an inquiry into an alleged extortion racket operating within Tihar Jail in connivance with jail officials, the Delhi high court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary enquiry (PE) into the suspected criminal activities, and asked the Delhi government to launch a thorough probe to identify delinquent officials aiding the racket.

A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order after examining a sealed-cover report submitted by the inspecting judge of Tihar Jail on April 7.

"Very disturbing and startling facts have been revealed, pointing not only to irregularities and illegalities in the functioning of Tihar Jail but also issues touching upon criminal activities going on there," the court said in its order.