Delhi: Staff allegedly try to smuggle items inside jail, Tihar starts probe

New Delhi: An alleged instance of two prison officials supplying items like mobile phones to inmates in Tihar jail has come to light following which the authorities at the correctional facility have launched an inquiry into the matter.

A jail official said that one of the accused was caught on CCTV camera throwing a package over the boundary wall of the prison which was found to be a sock stuffed with mobile phones, chargers and tobacco pouches. However, the accused later allegedly tried to erase the said footage, he added.

The accused jail staff allegedly went for the aerial route over the prison walls to smuggle in the prohibited items, including five mobile phones, chargers and tobacco pouches, on Monday night after they had failed to take the articles directly inside due to checking at the gates, he said.

The second accused jail staffer was allegedly waiting inside the jail complex at a pre-designated spot to collect the package which was to land from the other side. However, the items landed a short distance away from the appointed spot inside an area where entry was prevented by a locked door.

Next morning, when the lock was opened in the presence of a jail superintendent, the package was found inside. The accused, in the meantime, had sought to erase the CCTV footage to save himself. It was suspected that the accused, who earlier worked in the prison control room, took somebody's help in doing so, the jail official said.

"We have instituted an inquiry after the incident was reported. The CCTV recordings were erased by the accused," said Mukesh Prasad, AIG (Prison) and PRO of Tihar.

"So far, no action has been taken, but once the inquiry report is received, we will ensure strict action against whoever is found to be guilty," he said.

"We are very particular about preventing the entry of prohibited items inside the jail. A strict vigil is maintained and everybody is thoroughly checked.

"Such instances, whenever they come to our notice, are dealt with strictly and the accused, even if they are found to be staff members, are punished as per the rules," he added.