'Sorry state of affairs in Tihar Jail': Supreme Court directs MHA to bring reforms

While hearing a case regarding the alleged collusion between jailed Unitech promoters Chandra brothers and Tihar jail officials,  the apex court said: "Immediate steps need to be taken on the report filed by Delhi Police Chief on prison management."

It had last month ordered the suspension of officials at Tihar jail for colluding with the Chandra brothers and allowing them to run their business from within prison, which is a violation of all rules.

The judges, hearing the case, also spoke about the incidents of violence in jail. "This is unacceptable," they said.

The court has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Secretary to take necessary steps for bringing reforms in Tihar jail.

It had last month asked MHA to place before an action plan. "Neither has any action plan been placed before us nor any info on the steps that have been taken. We do not find this acceptable," it said.

The apex court has asked the MHA Secretary to file before it an affidavit within three weeks indicating the steps taken in this matter.

The judges directed that arrangements should be made for body scanners, mobile jammers, and other security measures in jails.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah made the observations on Wednesday while hearing the case of Unitech former owners Sanjay Chandra and his older brother, Ajay Chandra.

The brothers were arrested in 2017 for failing to build houses for which they had collected hundreds of crores of rupees. They are also accused of money laundering and other financial crimes.