C'Wealth Games scam: Court irked on supply of arms in Tihar to kill OC officers

Taking note of alleged security lapse in Tihar jail, a Delhi court today termed it as a "sorry state of affairs" and asked the police to file a report after probing revelations of two inmates that they were supplied with arms to kill former Commonwealth Games organising committee (OC) officials inside prison.

"The facts coming before the court during the pendency of this inquiry are showing a sorry state of affairs of the security of Tihar jail which is considered the most secured and high-profile jail in India," additional chief metropolitan magistrate Sunil Chaudhary said.

The court took a serious note of the fact that the CCTV cameras installed in the jail were not working "specially at the time" when any inmate alleges torture inside prison.

"During inquiry, it is found that the CCTVs installed in the jails are non-working, especially at the time when any inmate alleges about any incidence with him," the court said.

In its report filed in the court, the DGP (Prison) said the plea of inmates Nishant and Amit that they be shifted out of Tihar cannot be accepted as it was "frivolous".

The court, however, directed the jail authorities to "ensure their safety and surveillance through close circuit camera installed in the jail so that any untoward incidence in future with them may be avoided."

It also asked the ACP, who was present before it, to conduct an inquiry regarding the recovery of the knife in the jail and posted the matter for hearing on February 9.

"The ACP present in the court is reminded about the inquiry that it is to be conducted in regard to reaching of knife in high security jail and its recovery later....if there was some ulterior motive of someone behind this incident, he be punished in accordance with law," it said.

The court had earlier issued a show cause notice to a senior police officer after noting that an ACP, who was asked to probe the matter, was engaged in some other work.

It had also directed the jail authorities to file a report on alleged beating of the duo who had claimed that they were supplied with arms to eliminate former Commonwealth Games OC officials TS Darbari, M Jayachandran and Sanjay Mahendroo inside the jail.

The former Commonwealth Games OC officials are now out on bail.

A knife was also recovered allegedly at the instance of the inmates from the jail premises.