[Ankit Gujjar] Entire ward, cell of witnesses under CCTV surveillance: Tihar Jail to Delhi High Court

The Director General (Prisons) of Tihar Jail on Monday filed a status report before the Delhi High Court, detailing various security measures put in place by the jail authorities to ensure the safety and security of the eyewitnesses to the custodial death of gangster Ankit Gujjar (Gurpreet Singh alias Badal alias Akash vs. State) .The status report filed through Additional Standing Counsel (Criminal) of the Delhi government, Nandita Rao, stated that in compliance with the order passed by the Court on September 13, the following measures have been carried out by the prison authorities:a) An order was passed to all jail superintendents directing the safety and security of the petitioners (inmates) who were witnesses in the death case of undertrial prisoner, Ankit Gujjar. b) As per the Jail records, inmate 1, Gurpreet Singh Badal and inmate 2, Gurjeet Singh (Bobby) are currently lodged at Ward no. 5, Cell no. 2 of Central Jail No.3. Further, the entire ward and cell are under CCTV surveillance. Two CCTV cameras have been installed inside the cell and the footage is carefully monitored by the officials. Also, whenever the inmates leave their cell, they are escorted by two Tamil Nadu Special Police Personnel.In addition to this, the report also stated that Badal and Bobby had themselves requested the Metropolitan Magistrate at Tis Hazari Court, Delhi to transfer them to their previous ward, albeit in another cell. Following this, the inmates were transferred back to Cell No. 26 of Ward 5A of Central Jail, No.3, Tihar, the High Court was told.The status report was filed in a plea by the five inmates who were eyewitnesses to Ankit Gujjar's death, seeking directions for their safety. Single-judge Justice Mukta Gupta disposed of the petition after taking on record the status report."The DG (Prisons) has assured this Court that all three cells of the Petitioner 1 & 3 ( inmates) are under CCTV surveillance at all times. Whereas, Petitioner 4 and 5 are out on interim bail right now. As per the status report, the safety and security of these inmates is being looked after by the DG (Prisons)," the Court said.The report also mentioned that two of the inmates, Gaurav and Vikas are presently not in judicial custody since they are out on interim bail. It was also added that once they surrender before the jail authorities, they shall be lodged, after due consideration of their safety, in a barrack/ cell where CCTV cameras are working towards their constant surveillance and security."The jail staff on duty has been briefed for keeping adequate safety and security of these prisoners and also to ensure keeping a close watch on their movements," the report read..On the last date of hearing, Justice Gupta had sought a status report from the jail authorities regarding the measures put in place for the safety of the petitioners. On that day, the Court had also taken note of Advocate Mehmood Pracha's contention that the eyewitnesses were being pressured to change their stance."Following Gujjar's death, a plea was filed before this Court seeking a transfer of investigation in this case. Now, pressure is being mounted on the eyewitnesses to change their stance," the Court then said.Gujjar was allegedly murdered in Tihar Jail by officials last month. Following this, last week the Delhi High Court had directed the CBI to take control of the probe from the Delhi Police.Advocate Mehmood Pracha appeared for the eyewitnesses, whereas Advocate Nandita Rao appeared for the Delhi government. Advocates Rajesh Kumar and Ayush Aggarwal represented the CBI and Union of India respectively.