New Delhi, July 03: In the wake of a media report alleging special treatment being accorded to VIP prisoners at Tihar Jail here, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday said the jail had become a “picnic spot” for scamsters.
“Tihar has become a picnic spot for the champions of scams and corruption,” BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters.
“The central government is first trying to protect the people who are involved in corruption and scams, and if they are in jail, they are providing all the facilities,” he said.
A newspaper report Saturday said that extra liberty was being given to former Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and other high profile prisoners at the Tihar Jail.
It said that during a surprise visit by inspecting trial court judge Brijesh Kumar Garg, Kalmadi was found having tea and snacks with the jail superintendent, while the cells of the 2G scam accused were found unlocked.
Meanwhile Tihar jail authorities have ordered a probe into the alleged extra liberty given to former Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and other high profile prisoners, an official said Saturday.
The decision followed a media report which hinted at Kalmadi getting special treatment from officials in jail number four.
A prison source said that Kalmadi had a cup of tea and snacks with Jail Superintendent S.T. Bharadwaj.
“Additional District Judge Brijesh Kumar Garg visited jail number four as he is the inspecting judge of the prison but after his visit he never complained about high profile undertrials being given more liberty,” Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) R.N. Sharma informed, adding that jail officials were yet to receive any report from the judge.
“We are yet to get a written complaint from the judge. Following the news report we have ordered a vigilance inquiry by jail official Dinesh Gandhi. He will submit a report by July 4. We will take strict action against the official concerned,” Sharma added.
Bharadwaj, who was under transfer to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and was supposed to leave Tihar July 1, has been asked to stay till the investigation in the case is completed.