‘Police circulating malicious statements’

The blame game between Delhi Police and Tihar authorities turned worse on Thursday with the jail authority accusing the police of circulating “malicious” press statements for “spreading falsehood”.

Delhi Police had released a press statement on Wednesday evening, in which had alleged Tihar Authorities of not sharing crucial details for threat perception with regard to <g data-gr-id="26">transport</g> of undertrial prisoners. It had also cited particular clause of a standing order in connection with the issue.

“The press release of Delhi Police is malicious, not based on facts and an attempt to tarnish the image of Delhi Prison by spreading falsehood,” said Naveen Kataraya, Superintendant of Delhi Prisons.

Delhi Police refuted all allegations and maintained that  it is the responsibility of the <g data-gr-id="24">superintendant</g> of jails to convey/share information with DCP (3rd Batallion) well before the court production of a prisoner who is dangerous, has specific potential threat and/or associate of a notorious gang as well as lodgement of members of rivalry gangs in jail. “The jail authorities are providing grossly incorrect information to media and laying the whole responsibility at the doors of Delhi Police,” said Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police spokesperson.

Tihar authorities claimed that all vital <g data-gr-id="29">informations</g> coming to the notice of Jail Authorities about prisoners, especially high-risk prisoners, are shared with DCP (3rd Batallion). 

It is the 3rd Batallion of Delhi Police, which is solely entrusted with the responsibility of safe custody and escorting of prisoners of Delhi Prisons during production to various authorized places in the city, outside Delhi, hospitals in Delhi, short and custody paroles of prisoners of Delhi Prisons, said Kataraya.

Citing a clause from the rule book, Kataraya added that it is the prime responsibility of Delhi Police to provide various <g data-gr-id="22">informations</g> about a prisoner brought in Delhi Prisons. The DCP (3rd Batallion) is preferring to ignore the orders of the Police Department for reasons best known to him.