Tihar Inmate Ankit Gujjar Death Case: Delhi High Court Grants Time To CBI For Filing Further Status Report

The Delhi High Court on Friday granted time to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for filing further status report in connection with the alleged murder of inmate Ankit Gujjar, a 29-year old alleged gangster, who was found dead inside Tihar Jail.

Rajesh Kumar, Special Public Prosecutor for CBI told Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri that while the agency has completed the investigation for murder, the probe is yet to be completed regarding extortion.

The Court was informed by the SPP that the agency may arrest a few accused in future on the basis of investigation into the aspect of extortion.

"We have completed investigation for murder but regarding other aspects, extortion etc., after some time we will probably arrest some accused also. So we need some time to complete the investigation and then we will file a final status report," Kumar submitted.

Accordingly, the Court ordered thus:

"The SPP for CBI seeks some time to file further status report with advance copy to counsel for petitioner who may file a response, if required."

Ankit Gujjar was found dead inside Tihar Jail on August 4 last year. He was lodged in Central Jail No. 3. Four officials were also suspended by the DGP in connection with the incident, including Deputy Superintendent, two Assistant Superintendents and one Warden.

The plea moved by Ankit's mother, sister and brother through Advocates Mehmood Pracha and Shariq Nisar, alleged that Ankit was being harassed by jail officials and was in fact murdered as a part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

Justice Mukta Gupta had therefore transferred the probe in the matter from Delhi Police to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last year.

During the course of hearing today, the Court was also dealing with a plea filed by a co accused and his wife seeking directions to restrain the jail officials from threatening or coercing or extorting them in connection with the case. The co accused and his wife were granted adequate protection by the Court in January this year.

The SPP for CBI told the Court that while it has already filed status report in the matter, a final status report shall be filed in the matter before the next date of hearing.

On the other hand, Advocate Mehmood Pracha appearing for the petitioners submitted that in the case concerning threat to the co accused and his wife, the status report filed by CBI contained some incorrect facts and that he wished to file a reply in the same.

Accordingly, the Court posted the matter for further hearing on May 6. However, the Court ordered thus:

"Needless to say that the State shall continue to provide adequate security to the petitioner no 1."

About the Case

Previously, the Director-General of Prisons had informed the Court that 6,944 new CCTV cameras have been installed in the Delhi prisons to prevent any mishap or violence inside jails. It was also stated that all Jail Superintendents have been issued a circular suggesting remedial measures to be followed in case of any violence, etc.

The plea moved by Ankit's mother, sister and brother through Advocates Mehmood Pracha and Shariq Nisar, alleged that Ankit was being harassed by jail officials and was in fact murdered as a part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

Ankit Gujjar was found dead inside Tihar Jail on August 4. He was lodged in Central Jail No. 3. Four officials were also suspended by the DGP in connection with the incident, including Deputy Superintendent, two Assistant Superintendents and one Warden.

While transferring the probe to CBI, the Court said "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 was of the view that the case called for immediate remedial actions by the State and Director General, Prison so that 'unscrupulous officers at the Jail do not take advantage of knowledge of the non-working of the CCTVs so that they can get away by doing any illegal act/offences.'

"Further, even when Ankit got injured and was alive, in case proper medical treatment was provided to him, his life could have been saved and thus an investigation not only as to who all committed the offence of brutally beating the deceased Ankit resulting in his death has to be carried out, but the role of jail doctors in not providing proper treatment at the right time is also required to be ascertained by a proper inquiry," the Court had noted.

Furthermore, it added:

"Moreover, necessary rules and regulations so that the police is not denied entry in the jail to conduct an enquiry/investigation into the commission of a cognizable offence are also required to be made."