Surgical blades, tobacco recovered from under-trial prisoners

New Delhi: The Third Battalion of Delhi Police recovered surgical blades, tobacco and other objectional items during searching and frisking of under-trial prisoners (UTPs) in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli jails last year. According to Delhi Police data, as many as 13 surgical blades, 1046 number of tobacco items, Rs 76,810 cash, four iron strips, over 100 cigarette and bidis, five narcotics contrabands and 100 miscellaneous items (watch, bag, mobile etc) were seized.

DK Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (3rd battalion of Delhi Armed police) told Millennium Post that highest recovery was of tobacco products and the objectional items during frisking by the police personnel. "There are possibilities that the objectional items were kept in the pockets of UTPs by their known persons during court visits but later during frisking done by another third battalion team led to the recovery of objectional items," said DCP Singh.

In 2018, a total of 2,97420 UTPs of various categories were escorted to be produced before various courts in Delhi and outside the national Capital. Over the last year, a total of 655 UTPs were escorted for custody paroles. The Third Battalion performs duties of taking UTPs and/or convicts on custody parole to various destinations as per orders of courts. Similarly, prisoners and UTPs facing health issues are escorted to various hospitals and guards are also provided to these persons at the hospital, in case they are admitted for treatment.

Delhi Police in their annual reports claimed that in 2017, as many as 1,472 tobacco products, Rs 61,150 cash, one iron strip, 104 Bidi/Cigarette and 97 miscellaneous items were recovered. In 2016, two blades, more than 700 tobacco products, four aluminium and 10 iron strips, 35 bidis, one packet charas and four mobile phones and five SIMs were recovered," police annual report claimed.