New Delhi [India]: Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG), VK Saxena, authorized the Delhi Police to conduct an investigation into the role of eight prison officials in the case of an organised crime syndicate run by conman Sukash Chandra Shekhar from Rohini Jail, said a press release on Wednesday.
The investigation will be conducted under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act, said the official statement.
Considering the gravity of the matter and in the interest of justice, the LG accorded approval to the Economic Offence Wing (EOW), Delhi Police to conduct an enquiry/investigation against the eight jail officials of Delhi Prisons for the allegations against them, added the official statement.
The official release further mentioned that the LG’s nod to conduct a probe against these eight already under-arrest Group B officials is in addition to the permission granted last year by him to probe the role of another 81 jail officials for facilitating Shekhar for financial gains.
The release also informed that the jail officials who will now face probe under sections 7 and 8 of the PoC Act are SP Sunil Kumar, SP Sunder Bora, DSP Prakash Chand, DSP Mahender Prasad Sundriyal, DSP Subhaash Batra, ASP Dharam Singh Meena, ASP Lakshmi Dutt and ASP Prakash Chand.
According to the official release, it was discovered during the investigation that these arrested jail officials not only ensured Shekhar’s comfort but also maintained his privacy, enabling him to operate mobile phones from the jail. This was allegedly done in exchange for pecuniary gains.
The investigative team examined the footage from various cameras in Rohini Jail, cross-referenced duty rosters, scrutinized phone records, and relied on the disclosures made by the accused and it was revealed that the staff in question was strategically placed in Shekhar’s barrack with his consultation so as to help him to carry out his criminal activities, for pecuniary gains, said the press release.
From the analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) and Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDRs) of phones seized, it was noted that Shekhar was continuously in possession of two mobile phones, added the press release.
The official release further mentioned that it was revealed during the investigation that money was paid to all these arrested staff members, irrespective of their duties, as a bribe to ensure that they kept themselves away from spilling beans and remained silent.
Violating the jail manual, a separate barrack was exclusively provided to Sukash by these jail officials for pecuniary gains received through ASP Dharam Singh Meena on a regular basis, said the official statement.
