Most rancour in Tihar drug-related

It is true that even a bird cannot fly inside Tihar without the authorities’ permit but what is astonishing is the fact that in the recent past, the largest South Asia’s prison has gained a lot of negative publicity because of a <g data-gr-id="73">jail-break</g> incident, reports of extortion rackets being run by inmates and frequent murder instances within the premises.  

“The carelessness of the authorities and the existence of corrupt officials result into incidents where <g data-gr-id="56">murder</g> of inmates take place inside the jail premises. On late Tuesday, a 29-year-old under-trail was brutally murdered by four other inmates in the <g data-gr-id="55">high security</g> zone prison allegedly for not supplying drugs. Now, the question is how are the drugs available inside the complex,” a senior police official close to the investigation said. The official did not wish to be named.  

Tihar Jail complex is the largest prison in South Asia,  spread over about 400 acres and comprising nine jails, housing more than 14,250 inmates that <g data-gr-id="54">is</g> more than double its capacity of 6,250. About 650 prisoners are women, 500 are foreigners and some 75 <g data-gr-id="50">per cent</g> of all inmates are undergoing or awaiting trial.

What goes on inside the closed doors of the prison are beyond the understanding and comprehension of the common man. The jail premise has become a haven of corrupt practices, where criminals — be it convicted ones or <g data-gr-id="53">under-trails</g>, get a golden opportunity to flourish themselves by continuing their illegal activities from within the jail premises or get a chance to associate themselves with the top honchos of the crime world who are lodged in the jail.

At times, the inmates are found selling drugs inside the jail. In many cases when these inmates are caught by senior officials, it is learnt that they are the sole <g data-gr-id="52">bread-earners</g> of their families which is why they sell drugs inside the premises to earn a livelihood, handing over the money to their near and dear ones who come to meet them in the jail. 

Now, the unanswered questions are how these inmates manage to bring drugs inside the jail, how are these addicts allowed to take drugs, from where do they manage to get money inside the prison and where and when do the dealings take place? When Millennium Post tried to contact the concerned officials in Tihar, they refused to comment.

Meanwhile, Lokesh (name changed), a 29-year-old former inmate of Tihar told Millennium Post: “A few corrupt officials are always ready to please hardline criminals or affluent inmates in exchange of money. As a result, anything that is officially banned is easily available — from sharp weapons and surgical blades to mobile phones and drugs.”  

He further added that porn magazines, <g data-gr-id="63">drugs</g> and mobile phones are the easiest things available inside the complex. Inmates who are not <g data-gr-id="49">drug-addicts</g> are forced to consume drugs who later become addicts. The debutants also indulge in other illegal activities and become slaves of such gang leaders who enjoy fierce hegemony and leadership. 

“Many a times, this drug factor becomes the cause of altercation between the inmates. Several times, these inmates have been caught red-handed and the culprits are shifted to <g data-gr-id="60">high security</g> wards. Later, these particular inmates are again found indulging actively in drug dealing,” a source added.