Tihar jail asked to give computers to CWG scam accused

The Tihar jail authorities were directed today by a Delhi court to provide dedicated computers to sacked CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi and seven others, arrested for allegedly committing irregularities in a games-related contract to a Swiss firm, to read their case documents.

The court also asked the jail authorities to give a separate login and password of the computer to the accused persons which should be known only to them.

"Programmer from Tihar Jail is present. The matter regarding making available e-copy of the challan for each of the accused in the computer installed in the Legal Aid Office rooms of jail number 3 and 4 discussed with him in detail.

"He has assured the court that jail authorities will provide separate computers for each of the seven accused with their individual user name and login except accused Anil Kumar Madan as he has chosen to receive the paper copy of the challan. Copy of this order be sent to Jail Superintendents of Jail numbers 3 and 4 for information and compliance," Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh said.

The court said computer programmer Prateem Pratap Barua of Tihar Jail has assured that a person with computer knowledge will also be available to guide the accused persons to enable them to view the e-challan (e-charge sheet).

The court said the accused should be allowed to use computers daily for three hours.

As the jail programmer told the court that sometimes these computers are also used by visiting judges and officials, the court made it clear that as and when the computers are to be used by the visiting judges or any other official, the timing may be adjusted or the time may be compensated on the following day.

The court had earlier ordered CBI to supply e-copy of the charge sheet along with all the necessary documents to all the accused.

The court, meanwhile, extended the judicial custody of Kalmadi, former OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, former Director General VK Verma and officials M Jaychandran, Surjit Lal and ASV Prasad, till September 30.

Besides them, it also extended the judicial custody of promoters of two construction companies - Anil Madan and PD Arya of Faridabad-based Gem International and AK Reddy of AKR Constructions - till September 30.

The court also asked the defence counsel to file their replies by October 10 on two separate applications of CBI giving details of the expenses incurred to conduct the attachment proceedings of the movable properties of PD Arya and AK Madan.