NHRC notice to Principal Secretary (Home) and DG (Prisons), Delhi over media reports alleging illegal activities in Tihar Central Jail (10.6.2015)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, Dated: 10th June, 2015
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that there are about 20 gangs of inmates operating in the Tihar Central Jail, Delhi, who facilitate mobile phones, coolers, porn magazines etc. and protection from sexual abuse to those prisoners who can pay them. They even plot crimes, including murder, both inside and outside the prison. According to media reports, in the last four months, about 17 deaths have taken place inside the jail, raising serious questions about the much needed security infrastructure. It is also reported that the prison is over populated with 14000 prisoners against the capacity of 6250.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press reports, if true, raise serious questions of human rights of the prisoners as well as people outside the prison. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General (Prisons), Government of NCT of Delhi calling for reports within two weeks.
The Commission has also authorized one of its Senior Superintendents of Police in Investigation Division to conduct an immediate inspection of Tihar Central Jail and verify the allegations contained in the press reports and submit a report within two weeks.
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New Delhi, Dated: 10th June, 2015
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that there are about 20 gangs of inmates operating in the Tihar Central Jail, Delhi, who facilitate mobile phones, coolers, porn magazines etc. and protection from sexual abuse to those prisoners who can pay them. They even plot crimes, including murder, both inside and outside the prison. According to media reports, in the last four months, about 17 deaths have taken place inside the jail, raising serious questions about the much needed security infrastructure. It is also reported that the prison is over populated with 14000 prisoners against the capacity of 6250.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press reports, if true, raise serious questions of human rights of the prisoners as well as people outside the prison. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General (Prisons), Government of NCT of Delhi calling for reports within two weeks.
The Commission has also authorized one of its Senior Superintendents of Police in Investigation Division to conduct an immediate inspection of Tihar Central Jail and verify the allegations contained in the press reports and submit a report within two weeks.
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