Swarna Shukla –
Published On: October 29, 2021 at 14:50 IST
The Director-General of Prisons informed the Delhi High Court that 6944 new CCTV cameras have been installed in the Delhi prisons to prevent any mishaps or violence inside the prison. All Superintendents have been issued a circular proposing remedial measure to be followed in case of any mishaps takes place.
Justice Mukta Gupta transferred the screening of the matter to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Director General of Superintendent informs the Court that the Deputy Superintendent was negligent in performing its duties.
The Report also includes that Police will not be denied entry inside jails to conduct enquiry or investigation into commission of cognizable offences.
The Plea was filed by Ankit Gujjar’s (inmate who was murdered) mother, brother and sister through Advocates Mehmood Pracha and Shariq Nisar, contending that Ankit was harassed by the jail-officials and his murder was pre-planned.
While transferring the case to CBI,“Walls of prison, howsoever high they may be, the foundation of a prison is laid on the Rule of Law ensuring the rights to its inmates enshrined in the Constitution of India.”
The Court viewed that the matter calls for immediate remedial actions by the State and Director General, Prison so that unscrupulous Officers in the prison do not take advantage of the non-availability of the CCTVs, and can get way from doing any illegal offences.
The development came after one inmate Ankit Gujjar, 29 years old was found dead inside Tihar Jail on 4 August.