Nine Tihar Jail Officials Suspended, Transferred Over Alleged Extortion Racket: Delhi Govt to HC
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, was informed that nine officials from Tihar Jail had been suspended and transferred following allegations of operating an extortion racket in collusion with inmates.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a plea alleging instances of irregularities, unlawful conduct, malpractices, and misconduct by not only the prison staff but also the inmates.
During the hearing, the counsel for the Delhi government informed the court that nine officials from Tihar Jail had been suspended and transferred. He further stated that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against them in accordance with the applicable rules.
In the previous hearing, the division bench had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter after examining the preliminary inquiry report submitted by the agency. This was after the court had ordered a preliminary inquiry after being informed that an extortion racket was being run inside Tihar Jail.
Today, the counsel for the Delhi government said, “We have taken steps, including disciplinary action against jail officials, under the applicable rules.”
After hearing the submissions, the bench granted eight weeks to the government and the CBI to file a status report in the matter.
The judges passed the order while hearing a petition filed by a former inmate, who alleged extortion and raised concerns over the safety and security of prisoners in Tihar.
Two days back, the high court had described the allegations as “astonishing,” emphasising that they required immediate and serious attention from the government. The bench took note of the CBI’s preliminary findings, which indicated the involvement of both prisoners and jail officials in various illegal and corrupt activities. It thus directed the CBI to register an FIR in the matter.
On 2 May 2025, the court had directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into claims that both inmates and jail authorities were involved in extortion and other criminal activities at Tihar.
Case Title: Mohit Kumar Goyal v. State of NCT of Delhi And Ors
Hearing Date: 13 August 2025
Bench: Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela