Delhi High Court Orders CBI Probe into Tihar Jail Extortion Racket: A Wake-Up Call for Prison Reforms?
Introduction In a significant move aimed at restoring accountability within the prison system, the Delhi High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the alleged extortion racket operating from inside Tihar Jail. This comes after multiple reports and petitions revealed a deeply entrenched network of corruption, where inmates—often under threat or coercion—were forced to transfer money to individuals outside the prison. What Triggered the CBI Probe? The issue came to light when several prisoners’ families and whistleblowers raised concerns about extortion calls originating from within Tihar. Shocking allegations pointed towards the involvement of jail officials who allegedly allowed mobile phones inside the jail and facilitated illegal transactions in exchange for bribes. The High Court, taking note of these alarming revelations, stressed that such activities not only compromise the integrity of the criminal jus...