Extortion in Tihar Jail: Delhi High Court orders government to speed up action against jail officials

The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered the Delhi government’s Vigilance Department to expeditiously conclude the disciplinary inquiry and take action against the jail officials allegedly involved in running an extortion racket in Tihar Jail [Mohit Kumar Goyal v State of NCT of Delhi & Ors]. 

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela ordered the vigilance department to appoint an inquiry officer within two weeks.

The Bench passed the order after Delhi government's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) informed the Court that he will pursue the matter with the Vigilance Department and ensure that an official to conduct the inquiry is appointed and the probe is conducted as quickly as possible. 

"Once the official is appointed, the requisite formality such as constitution of chargesheet, its approval and conclusion shall also be undertaken within this short span of time,” the Court ordered. 

The Court said it will hear the matter again on January 7, 2026 and by the said date, the Delhi government must file a report detailing the progress made. 

“The CBI shall also file a status report regarding the development in the criminal proceedings,” the Court said. 

The Bench passed the order while dealing with a plea raising concerns regarding illegalities, malpractices and misconduct in Tihar Jail. The plea alleged that an extortion racket was being run inside the jail involving inmates and in connivance with jail authorities. 

Noting the seriousness of the allegations, the Court had earlier asked a judicial officer to visit the jail and conduct an inquiry. The judge filed his report in a sealed cover. When the Court examined the report, it ordered a CBI probe. 

Further, the Court also directed the Delhi government to investigate the allegations made against the jail officials. 

When the matter was taken up on October 28, the High Court pulled up the Delhi government for its “lackadaisical approach” and said that it had failed to proceed with disciplinary action against suspended Tihar jail officials. 

The Court then summoned the Additional Chief Secretary (Home).