"Witnesses In Ankit Gujjar Death Case Kept Under CCTV Surveillance, Jail Staff Briefed For Keeping Safety & Security": Delhi High Court Told

The Director-General of Prisons, Tihar has informed the Delhi High Court that three witnesses in Ankit Gujjar death case are being kept under CCTV surveillance with the footage being monitored 24x7 by the jail authorities. It has also been informed that the two witnesses, presently out on interim bail, will be kept under CCTV surveillance after they surrender.

The development came after the status report was filed pursuant to the order passed by Justice Mukta Gupta earlier this month on petition moved by five inmates through Advocate Mehmood Pracha claiming to be eyewitnesses in the incident thereby fearing that pressure will be mounted on them in order to change their statements. 

The Court had sought status report from Director General of Prisons indicating the measures taken by the authorities to ensure safety and security of other inmates.

With regards to two petitioners lodged in one of the cells in Central Jail no. 3, the DGP Prisons has informed Court that the entire ward and cell are under CCTV surveillance and that whenever the two are locked out from the cell, they are escorted by special police personnel.

With regards to the third petitioner lodged in Central Jail no. 11, the Court is informed that he is kept under CCTV surveillance with two cameras installed inside the barrack and one outside the gallery, all in working condition.

With respect to the two petitioners out on interim bail, the Court is informed that they should be lodged in jail after due consideration towards their safety and security pursuant to their surrender.

It has also been informed that they will be kept in a cell where CCTV cameras are functional for keeping constant surveillance on them.

"The jail staff on duty has been briefed for keeping adequate safety and security of these prisoners and also to ensure keeping a close watch on their movements," the status report reads.

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.

The Court had transferred the probe into Ankit Gujjar's death from Delhi Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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 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."

The Court directed Director General of Prison to file a status report indicating the measures taken to streamline the system as regards the CCTV cameras at the Jail and when the same are not working what alternative measures can be taken in the meantime, accountability of the Jail officers and Jail doctors and the mechanism by which immediate entry is provided to the police to the Jail on receipt of information of a cognizable offence and the remedial steps taken thereon.