The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Central government, DG Tihar Jail and the Delhi government to hold a meeting and take joint steps for effective coordination and decision-making regarding the security in Tihar jail.
Passing the order, the Apex Court also directed the Centre and the Delhi government to jointly hold a secretary-level meeting with Prisons DG at Tihar Jail to discuss the recommendations submitted by Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana in a report on prison reforms.
Stressing the need to avoid passing the buck between the Centre and the state, a Bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice M.R. Shah also directed to submit a joint affidavit, including their decisions and implementations and steps taken in view of the jail security.
Last year in November, the Supreme Court had expressed its dissatisfaction over the delay by the MHA in taking action on recommendations submitted by Asthana in his report.
The proposed meeting will be taken within a period of one week to take concrete decisions towards implementing the report of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi for upgrading the security at Tihar Jail.
The report came after it was found some Tihar jail officials were extending undue assistance to jailed ex-Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra.
The top court told the Centre that only paperwork is no solution and corrective measures are to be taken on the ground so that there is no repetition of the incident like the 4⁴collusion of Tihar Jail officials with the ex-Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has considered the Commissioner’s report and taken decisions accordingly, Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan submitted to the court.
The Supreme Court noted that three specific areas, which have been recommended in the Delhi Police Commissioner’s report, can be adverted to. These include installation of cell phone jammers, full body X-Ray scanners and installation of CCTV Cameras.
The Bench said there were two Central Control Rooms- one at Tihar prison headquarters and the other at Mandoli headquarters. The MHA in its affidavit has stated that prison is a state subject and hence l, necessary directions have been issued to the Delhi Government to ensure compliance.