News Analysis India

Tag: Tihar jail

  • Pocso accused forced to serve Jain in Tihar, says probe panel 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  At least five Tihar inmates, two of them accused in POCSO cases, were pressured by the Tihar administration to provide “special services” to jailed AAP minister Satyendra Jain, said an inquiry panel that is looking into allegations of VVIP treatment given to Jain in jail.

    The committee underlined that a retinue of jail officials was involved in the service of Jain.  Tihar inmate Rinku, accused of raping a minor, allegedly gave a massage to Jain whose videos created a political storm a few days ago. “I have provided the massage to him (Jain) at the instructions of jail officials. Now I am being threatened. I have not even taken a drop of water from the cell of Satyendra Jain for giving the massage,” the report  said quoting his recorded confession. 

    After the video of Jain getting a massage in jail was circulated on social media, the AAP claimed he was actually receiving physiotherapy as part of treatment. However, Rinku clarified that he never got any training in physiotherapy and that his main profession was to provide mare services for marriage functions. 

    “This massage was not voluntarily or out of love & affection, as claimed by the then Superintendent Jail but was in the nature of leisure for enjoying lavish lifestyle in jail by Satyendra Jain,” the committee noted. Meanwhile, another POCSO accused, Manish, was found to be involved in providing fruits and outside food to Jain. “Jail warden used to deposit money in my jail account card.

    By using my card, I used to purchase fruits from jail canteen for Satyendra Jain. He deposited money in my jail account card 3-4 times and each time he deposited Rs 6,900… I did not provide services to Jain willingly,” the report quoted Manish as saying.

    Ready to face ed probe, says KavithaTRS MLC K Kavitha, whose name figured in a remand report by the ED in the Delhi liquor scam case, said she is ready to face any kind of probe. “If the agencies come and ask us questions we will certainly answer. But tarnishing leaders’ images by giving selective leaks to the media, people will refute it,” she told reporters

    NEW DELHI:  At least five Tihar inmates, two of them accused in POCSO cases, were pressured by the Tihar administration to provide “special services” to jailed AAP minister Satyendra Jain, said an inquiry panel that is looking into allegations of VVIP treatment given to Jain in jail.

    The committee underlined that a retinue of jail officials was involved in the service of Jain.  Tihar inmate Rinku, accused of raping a minor, allegedly gave a massage to Jain whose videos created a political storm a few days ago. “I have provided the massage to him (Jain) at the instructions of jail officials. Now I am being threatened. I have not even taken a drop of water from the cell of Satyendra Jain for giving the massage,” the report  said quoting his recorded confession. 

    After the video of Jain getting a massage in jail was circulated on social media, the AAP claimed he was actually receiving physiotherapy as part of treatment. However, Rinku clarified that he never got any training in physiotherapy and that his main profession was to provide mare services for marriage functions. 

    “This massage was not voluntarily or out of love & affection, as claimed by the then Superintendent Jail but was in the nature of leisure for enjoying lavish lifestyle in jail by Satyendra Jain,” the committee noted. Meanwhile, another POCSO accused, Manish, was found to be involved in providing fruits and outside food to Jain. “Jail warden used to deposit money in my jail account card.

    By using my card, I used to purchase fruits from jail canteen for Satyendra Jain. He deposited money in my jail account card 3-4 times and each time he deposited Rs 6,900… I did not provide services to Jain willingly,” the report quoted Manish as saying.

    Ready to face ed probe, says Kavitha
    TRS MLC K Kavitha, whose name figured in a remand report by the ED in the Delhi liquor scam case, said she is ready to face any kind of probe. “If the agencies come and ask us questions we will certainly answer. But tarnishing leaders’ images by giving selective leaks to the media, people will refute it,” she told reporters

  • Day after ‘no proper food’ claim, new video shows Satyendar Jain enjoying meal in Tihar jail

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: A new purported video of jailed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain having an elaborate meal inside Tihar has emerged, just a day after footage of the minister receiving an oil massage inside his jail cell trigged an uproar.

    The latest CCTV footage sourced from Tihar jail sources shows Jain getting an elaborate meal in jail.

    Tihar Jail sources also said that the Delhi minister gained 8 kg weight during his time in jail, contrary to his lawyer’s claims of him having lost 28 kgs.

    The new footage surfaced a day after Jain on Tuesday submitted before the trial court that he has not been getting privileges like proper food and medical check-up in Tihar Jail. He had also claimed that he lost 28 kg while being locked up in jail.

    #WATCH | Latest CCTV footage sourced from Tihar jail sources show Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain getting proper food in the jail.Tihar Jail sources said that Satyendar Jain has gained 8 kg of weight while being in jail, contrary to his lawyer’s claims of him having lost 28 kgs. pic.twitter.com/cGEioHh5NM
    — ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2022
    Sharing the video on his twitter handle BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said “One more video from media! After taking maalish from the rapist & calling him PHYSIO therapist, Satyendra Jain can be seen enjoying a sumptuous meal! Attendants serve him food as if he is in a resort on vacation!”

    “Kejriwal ji ensured that hawalabaaz gets VVIP maza not saza!,” Poonawalla said

    In an accompanying video on his Twitter account, Poonawalla said after,” He is being served outside food by two attendants as if he is in a resort or a restaurant and there is a variety of delicacies and dishes in front him, as if he is not there for the saza (punishment) of corruption, but maza (fun) of maalish (massage)and restaurant food.”

    “Arvind Kejriwal must answer why the person who has been in jail for the last five months is being given this facility by keeping him in the minister post — to take ‘vasooli’ from Sukesh, maalish from a rapist and now food from outside jail,” Shehzad said.

    In the latest purported footage from Tihar jail, Jain is seen having food including fruits and dry fruits.

    ALSO READ | Satyendar Jain asks CBI court to allow him food according to his religious beliefs

    On Tuesday, the minister’s counsel Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra had alleged that Enforcement Directorate was leaking sensitive information to the media despite the order of the Court and undertaking given in this court.

    Rahul Mehra also denied ED allegations of getting privileged treatment in Tihar Jail. He asked, “What privilege are they talking about?”

    “I have lost 28 kg in jail. Is this what a privileged person in jail gets? I’m not even getting proper food. What privilege are they talking about? No prison rules are violated if an undertrial is pressing his hand or feet,” Jain said.

    However, appearing for ED, advocate Zohaib Hossain denied the allegations made by Satyendar Jain’s lawyer and said that there is not a single leak from the Enforcement Directorate.

    The latest episode comes days after purported videos of the minister getting a massage inside his cell in Tihar went viral on social media. The Aam Aadmi Party however asserted that Jain was receiving physiotherapy.

    Sources reported on Tuesday that the person administering massage on Jain was not a physiotherapist, furthermore, he has been identified as a rape accused too.

    Jailed Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, who was criticised over the viral CCTV video inside the Tihar, was being given a massage by an accused in a rape case, the official sources claimed on Tuesday.

    The Tihar Jail official sources claimed that the prisoner, identified as Rinku, was “not a physiotherapist” and has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

    “The masseur providing massage to jailed Delhi min Satyendar Jain is a prisoner Rinku. He’s a prisoner in a rape case, charged u/s 6 of POCSO Act and 376, 506 & 509 of IPC. He’s not a physiotherapist,” the sources claimed.

    Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday had claimed that the CCTV footage that went viral showing Jain being given a full-body massage was a “treatment for injury”.

    “Only BJP can make cruel jokes by leaking CCTV footage of an injured person’s treatment… His (Satyendar Jain’s) spine was damaged, it’s on record,” Sisodia had said on Saturday.

    However, the Deputy Chief Minister’s claim was refuted by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.

    The body also demanded an apology for “degrading physiotherapy”.

    Calling out the Minister, the Indian Association of Physiotherapists tweeted on Saturday, “IAP strongly condemns the statement of the minister degrading physiotherapy by comparing it with massage given to another minister. Shows the level of education and knowledge they have about our noble profession.”

    In a video, the president of the association condemned the minister while also demanding an apology from him.

    “There is news going on on social media and we have received many complaints from our members. Many physiotherapists all across India that in jail, and one physiotherapy session was given to a patient. And as a professor of physiotherapy and as president of the Indian

    Association of Physiotherapists, we can say that the session going on was not physiotherapy. It is a way of degrading physiotherapy. We strongly condemn this act. We want that the Minister or whosoever should apologise for that,” he said.

    “I request all physiotherapists in India to write down to the news channels that please don’t degrade physiotherapy. This is not physiotherapy. Let’s condemn this act and let’s move in a direction where we can correct things,” the president added.

    Earlier on Saturday, the former PRO of the Tihar jail said that it cannot be physiotherapy as the video clearly showed that co-inmates were giving him a massage.

    Sunil Gupta, former PRO of the Tihar jail told ANI that the video makes it clear that other prisoners of the prison were giving the minister a massage.

    “Massage is different from physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is given in physiotherapy wards in the hospital,” he said.

    The purported CCTV footage dated September 13 shows the minister lying on his bed while a man seated next to him is seen massaging his foot.

    In another video shared by BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on his official Twitter handle, a man is seen massaging the Delhi minister’s legs and back before proceeding to give him a full head massage.

    The videos surfaced on social media on Saturday, 10 days after the ED accused the Delhi minister, was arrested in a money laundering case, of getting special treatment inside the Tihar jail.

    Jain has been in jail since June. A Delhi court denied his bail application on November 16.

    NEW DELHI: A new purported video of jailed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain having an elaborate meal inside Tihar has emerged, just a day after footage of the minister receiving an oil massage inside his jail cell trigged an uproar.

    The latest CCTV footage sourced from Tihar jail sources shows Jain getting an elaborate meal in jail.

    Tihar Jail sources also said that the Delhi minister gained 8 kg weight during his time in jail, contrary to his lawyer’s claims of him having lost 28 kgs.

    The new footage surfaced a day after Jain on Tuesday submitted before the trial court that he has not been getting privileges like proper food and medical check-up in Tihar Jail. He had also claimed that he lost 28 kg while being locked up in jail.

    #WATCH | Latest CCTV footage sourced from Tihar jail sources show Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain getting proper food in the jail.
    Tihar Jail sources said that Satyendar Jain has gained 8 kg of weight while being in jail, contrary to his lawyer’s claims of him having lost 28 kgs. pic.twitter.com/cGEioHh5NM
    — ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2022
    Sharing the video on his twitter handle BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said “One more video from media! After taking maalish from the rapist & calling him PHYSIO therapist, Satyendra Jain can be seen enjoying a sumptuous meal! Attendants serve him food as if he is in a resort on vacation!”

    “Kejriwal ji ensured that hawalabaaz gets VVIP maza not saza!,” Poonawalla said

    In an accompanying video on his Twitter account, Poonawalla said after,” He is being served outside food by two attendants as if he is in a resort or a restaurant and there is a variety of delicacies and dishes in front him, as if he is not there for the saza (punishment) of corruption, but maza (fun) of maalish (massage)and restaurant food.”

    “Arvind Kejriwal must answer why the person who has been in jail for the last five months is being given this facility by keeping him in the minister post — to take ‘vasooli’ from Sukesh, maalish from a rapist and now food from outside jail,” Shehzad said.

    In the latest purported footage from Tihar jail, Jain is seen having food including fruits and dry fruits.

    ALSO READ | Satyendar Jain asks CBI court to allow him food according to his religious beliefs

    On Tuesday, the minister’s counsel Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra had alleged that Enforcement Directorate was leaking sensitive information to the media despite the order of the Court and undertaking given in this court.

    Rahul Mehra also denied ED allegations of getting privileged treatment in Tihar Jail. He asked, “What privilege are they talking about?”

    “I have lost 28 kg in jail. Is this what a privileged person in jail gets? I’m not even getting proper food. What privilege are they talking about? No prison rules are violated if an undertrial is pressing his hand or feet,” Jain said.

    However, appearing for ED, advocate Zohaib Hossain denied the allegations made by Satyendar Jain’s lawyer and said that there is not a single leak from the Enforcement Directorate.

    The latest episode comes days after purported videos of the minister getting a massage inside his cell in Tihar went viral on social media. The Aam Aadmi Party however asserted that Jain was receiving physiotherapy.

    Sources reported on Tuesday that the person administering massage on Jain was not a physiotherapist, furthermore, he has been identified as a rape accused too.

    Jailed Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, who was criticised over the viral CCTV video inside the Tihar, was being given a massage by an accused in a rape case, the official sources claimed on Tuesday.

    The Tihar Jail official sources claimed that the prisoner, identified as Rinku, was “not a physiotherapist” and has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

    “The masseur providing massage to jailed Delhi min Satyendar Jain is a prisoner Rinku. He’s a prisoner in a rape case, charged u/s 6 of POCSO Act and 376, 506 & 509 of IPC. He’s not a physiotherapist,” the sources claimed.

    Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday had claimed that the CCTV footage that went viral showing Jain being given a full-body massage was a “treatment for injury”.

    “Only BJP can make cruel jokes by leaking CCTV footage of an injured person’s treatment… His (Satyendar Jain’s) spine was damaged, it’s on record,” Sisodia had said on Saturday.

    However, the Deputy Chief Minister’s claim was refuted by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.

    The body also demanded an apology for “degrading physiotherapy”.

    Calling out the Minister, the Indian Association of Physiotherapists tweeted on Saturday, “IAP strongly condemns the statement of the minister degrading physiotherapy by comparing it with massage given to another minister. Shows the level of education and knowledge they have about our noble profession.”

    In a video, the president of the association condemned the minister while also demanding an apology from him.

    “There is news going on on social media and we have received many complaints from our members. Many physiotherapists all across India that in jail, and one physiotherapy session was given to a patient. And as a professor of physiotherapy and as president of the Indian

    Association of Physiotherapists, we can say that the session going on was not physiotherapy. It is a way of degrading physiotherapy. We strongly condemn this act. We want that the Minister or whosoever should apologise for that,” he said.

    “I request all physiotherapists in India to write down to the news channels that please don’t degrade physiotherapy. This is not physiotherapy. Let’s condemn this act and let’s move in a direction where we can correct things,” the president added.

    Earlier on Saturday, the former PRO of the Tihar jail said that it cannot be physiotherapy as the video clearly showed that co-inmates were giving him a massage.

    Sunil Gupta, former PRO of the Tihar jail told ANI that the video makes it clear that other prisoners of the prison were giving the minister a massage.

    “Massage is different from physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is given in physiotherapy wards in the hospital,” he said.

    The purported CCTV footage dated September 13 shows the minister lying on his bed while a man seated next to him is seen massaging his foot.

    In another video shared by BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on his official Twitter handle, a man is seen massaging the Delhi minister’s legs and back before proceeding to give him a full head massage.

    The videos surfaced on social media on Saturday, 10 days after the ED accused the Delhi minister, was arrested in a money laundering case, of getting special treatment inside the Tihar jail.

    Jain has been in jail since June. A Delhi court denied his bail application on November 16.

  • Jailed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain gets full body-massage inside Tihar Jail, CCTV footage goes viral

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: A CCTV video of Delhi minister Satyendar Jain getting a full body massage in Tihar Jail has emerged on social media – two days after demands to shift the minister from the prison were raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Jain was arrested on May 30 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on allegations of money laundering.

    The purported CCTV footage dated September 13 shows the minister lying on his bed and reading some papers while a man sitting next to him is seen massaging his foot.

    In another video, shared by BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on his official Twitter handle, a man is seen massaging the Delhi minister’s legs and back before proceeding to give him a full head massage.

    “So instead of Sazaa – Satyendar Jain was getting full VVIP Mazaa? Massage inside Tihar Jail? Hawalabaaz who hasn’t got bail for 5 months get a head massage! Violation of rules in a jail run by AAP Govt,” Poonawalla tweeted along with a video.

    “This is how official position abused for Vasooli and massage thanks to Kejriwal,” he added.

    So instead of Sazaa – Satyendra Jain was getting full VVIP Mazaa ? Massage inside Tihar Jail? Hawalabaaz who hasn’t got bail for 5 months get head massage !Violation of rules in a jail run by AAP GovtThis is how official position abused for Vasooli & massage thanks to Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/4jEuZbxIZZ
    — Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) November 19, 2022
    The videos surfaced on social media on Saturday, around 10 days after the ED accused Delhi minister Jain, who was arrested in a money laundering case, of getting special treatment inside the Tihar jail.

    “Unknown persons were giving massages and foot massages to Mr Jain, even beyond curfew hours. He was given special food,” the ED had said in a court.

    Soon after this, the Superintendent of Delhi’s Tihar jail, Ajit Kumar, was also suspended for the alleged VIP treatment of jailed Delhi minister.

    ALSO READ: Conman Sukesh dares Kejriwal, minister Satyendar Jain to take polygraph test

    The minister, Jain, was arrested and has been in jail since June in connection with a money laundering case, and his bail application was also denied by a Delhi court on Thursday.

    Trial court recently ordered ED and minister Satyendar Jain’s legal team not to leak any content of affidavits and video in this regard. Court had also taken the undertaking of both sides. There was however, no restriction/direction were passed for media.

    Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought a detailed report from Delhi Chief Secretary about allegations that jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain is getting “special treatment” inside Tihar jail, sources said.

    ALSO READ: BJP minister demands transfer of Satyendar Jain from Delhi jail

    The move comes after the ED in an affidavit in October end informed a Special Delhi Court that Satyendar Jain, who is in jail in connection with a money laundering case, was being given “special treatment” inside Tihar Jail.

    ED has alleged in its affidavit that Jain’s wife, Poonam Jain, has been given access to his cell and she meets the Delhi Minister beyond the limits permissible.

    The agency also submitted CCTV footage of Jain purportedly receiving a body massage from an unidentified person inside his cell. CCTV footage also showed the jail superintendent meeting him regularly.

    During its arguments earlier in court the ED had submitted that there are witnesses and materials sufficient to make out a case of money laundering against the Delhi minister.

    Additional Solicitor General appearing for the ED submitted that the accused was involved in money laundering with other accused. He sent money to Kolkata-based companies and that money belonged to Jain. He is the conspirator and kingpin.

    The Rouse Avenue Court on November 17 dismissed the bail petition of Jain in the ED case and said the accused Satyender Jain had knowingly done such activities to obliterate the tracing of the source of ill-gotten money and accordingly, the proceeds of crime were layered through Kolkata-based entry operators in a way that its source was difficult to decipher. 

    NEW DELHI: A CCTV video of Delhi minister Satyendar Jain getting a full body massage in Tihar Jail has emerged on social media – two days after demands to shift the minister from the prison were raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Jain was arrested on May 30 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on allegations of money laundering.

    The purported CCTV footage dated September 13 shows the minister lying on his bed and reading some papers while a man sitting next to him is seen massaging his foot.

    In another video, shared by BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on his official Twitter handle, a man is seen massaging the Delhi minister’s legs and back before proceeding to give him a full head massage.

    “So instead of Sazaa – Satyendar Jain was getting full VVIP Mazaa? Massage inside Tihar Jail? Hawalabaaz who hasn’t got bail for 5 months get a head massage! Violation of rules in a jail run by AAP Govt,” Poonawalla tweeted along with a video.

    “This is how official position abused for Vasooli and massage thanks to Kejriwal,” he added.

    So instead of Sazaa – Satyendra Jain was getting full VVIP Mazaa ? Massage inside Tihar Jail? Hawalabaaz who hasn’t got bail for 5 months get head massage !Violation of rules in a jail run by AAP Govt
    This is how official position abused for Vasooli & massage thanks to Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/4jEuZbxIZZ
    — Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) November 19, 2022
    The videos surfaced on social media on Saturday, around 10 days after the ED accused Delhi minister Jain, who was arrested in a money laundering case, of getting special treatment inside the Tihar jail.

    “Unknown persons were giving massages and foot massages to Mr Jain, even beyond curfew hours. He was given special food,” the ED had said in a court.

    Soon after this, the Superintendent of Delhi’s Tihar jail, Ajit Kumar, was also suspended for the alleged VIP treatment of jailed Delhi minister.

    ALSO READ: Conman Sukesh dares Kejriwal, minister Satyendar Jain to take polygraph test

    The minister, Jain, was arrested and has been in jail since June in connection with a money laundering case, and his bail application was also denied by a Delhi court on Thursday.

    Trial court recently ordered ED and minister Satyendar Jain’s legal team not to leak any content of affidavits and video in this regard. Court had also taken the undertaking of both sides. There was however, no restriction/direction were passed for media.

    Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought a detailed report from Delhi Chief Secretary about allegations that jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain is getting “special treatment” inside Tihar jail, sources said.

    ALSO READ: BJP minister demands transfer of Satyendar Jain from Delhi jail

    The move comes after the ED in an affidavit in October end informed a Special Delhi Court that Satyendar Jain, who is in jail in connection with a money laundering case, was being given “special treatment” inside Tihar Jail.

    ED has alleged in its affidavit that Jain’s wife, Poonam Jain, has been given access to his cell and she meets the Delhi Minister beyond the limits permissible.

    The agency also submitted CCTV footage of Jain purportedly receiving a body massage from an unidentified person inside his cell. CCTV footage also showed the jail superintendent meeting him regularly.

    During its arguments earlier in court the ED had submitted that there are witnesses and materials sufficient to make out a case of money laundering against the Delhi minister.

    Additional Solicitor General appearing for the ED submitted that the accused was involved in money laundering with other accused. He sent money to Kolkata-based companies and that money belonged to Jain. He is the conspirator and kingpin.

    The Rouse Avenue Court on November 17 dismissed the bail petition of Jain in the ED case and said the accused Satyender Jain had knowingly done such activities to obliterate the tracing of the source of ill-gotten money and accordingly, the proceeds of crime were layered through Kolkata-based entry operators in a way that its source was difficult to decipher. 

  • 2 actressess ‘recreate’ their meeting with Sukesh; cops claim conman enjoys luxuries inside Tihar jail

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police team took two actresses inside the Tihar jail to “recreate” their alleged meeting with conmon Sukesh Chandrashekhar as part of a probe into a Rs 200-crore extortion case, officials said on Monday.

    The police said ever since Chandrashekar has been jailed, the prison had become a hub of illegal activities which he carried out with the help of jail officials.

    The team of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing took actresses Nikki Tamboli and Sofia Singh to the Tihar’s central jail number one on Saturday to “recreate” their meetings with the ‘conman’ as part of the ongoing probe, a senior police officer said.

    Chandrashekhar, who is currently in jail, is accused of cheating various people, including high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh.

    The EOW has so far questioned Bollywood actors — Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi along with former TV anchor Pinky Irani and stylist Leepakshi Ellawadi, officials said.

    During his stay in Tihar, many people including celebrities arrived in luxury cars and gained entry inside the jail by saying they were there to meet Chandrashekar, the officer said.

    Tamboli has featured in a couple of reality shows while Singh has acted in Hindi and Telegu movies, officials said.

    Videography of the entire recreation of the meeting was also done, police said.

    “Many people visited Chandrashekhar inside the jail. However, we are only summoning those who are relevant to our investigation. Currently, Chandrashekar is jailed in Mandoli Prison,” the official said.

    Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said, “We are doing a thorough investigation in the case and that’s why we have recreated the scene of meeting of the actresses with Chandrashekhar.

    “That has given us a clear understanding of how this fraud was carried out. This will help us in prosecution.”

    An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet and other amenities. It appeared like his office and not jail, another police officer said. 

    “Jail security was compromised. Luxury cars used to go inside the prison after visitors claimed they were going to meet Sukesh. Security checks were not done for those going to meet Chandrashekar. He had so much money that he was spending crores on jail officials. No one stopped him since he had bribed jail officials,” he added.

    Most of the time, Chandrashekhar introduced himself either as a business tycoon from the south, a movie producer or a television channel owner and lured actors by offering them roles in “his upcoming movies”, the police said.

    The investigation of the case is still underway and so far, no clean chit has been given to any of the actors involved in the case, they said.

    “Investigation also suggests that Chandrashekhar had contacted other actors as well with the same modus operandi. The two actors were introduced to the alleged conman through Pinki Irani who has already been questioned by the EOW team,” the officer said.

    He added that these illegal activities of Chandrashekhar and his operations were carried out with the involvement of senior jails officials.

    “We are investigating the role of each of these jail officials who were working for Chandrasekhar. Under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, six Tihar jail officials have already been arrested. The role of other jail officials are under scrutiny,” the officer said.

    NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police team took two actresses inside the Tihar jail to “recreate” their alleged meeting with conmon Sukesh Chandrashekhar as part of a probe into a Rs 200-crore extortion case, officials said on Monday.

    The police said ever since Chandrashekar has been jailed, the prison had become a hub of illegal activities which he carried out with the help of jail officials.

    The team of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing took actresses Nikki Tamboli and Sofia Singh to the Tihar’s central jail number one on Saturday to “recreate” their meetings with the ‘conman’ as part of the ongoing probe, a senior police officer said.

    Chandrashekhar, who is currently in jail, is accused of cheating various people, including high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh.

    The EOW has so far questioned Bollywood actors — Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi along with former TV anchor Pinky Irani and stylist Leepakshi Ellawadi, officials said.

    During his stay in Tihar, many people including celebrities arrived in luxury cars and gained entry inside the jail by saying they were there to meet Chandrashekar, the officer said.

    Tamboli has featured in a couple of reality shows while Singh has acted in Hindi and Telegu movies, officials said.

    Videography of the entire recreation of the meeting was also done, police said.

    “Many people visited Chandrashekhar inside the jail. However, we are only summoning those who are relevant to our investigation. Currently, Chandrashekar is jailed in Mandoli Prison,” the official said.

    Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said, “We are doing a thorough investigation in the case and that’s why we have recreated the scene of meeting of the actresses with Chandrashekhar.

    “That has given us a clear understanding of how this fraud was carried out. This will help us in prosecution.”

    An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet and other amenities. It appeared like his office and not jail, another police officer said. 

    “Jail security was compromised. Luxury cars used to go inside the prison after visitors claimed they were going to meet Sukesh. Security checks were not done for those going to meet Chandrashekar. He had so much money that he was spending crores on jail officials. No one stopped him since he had bribed jail officials,” he added.

    Most of the time, Chandrashekhar introduced himself either as a business tycoon from the south, a movie producer or a television channel owner and lured actors by offering them roles in “his upcoming movies”, the police said.

    The investigation of the case is still underway and so far, no clean chit has been given to any of the actors involved in the case, they said.

    “Investigation also suggests that Chandrashekhar had contacted other actors as well with the same modus operandi. The two actors were introduced to the alleged conman through Pinki Irani who has already been questioned by the EOW team,” the officer said.

    He added that these illegal activities of Chandrashekhar and his operations were carried out with the involvement of senior jails officials.

    “We are investigating the role of each of these jail officials who were working for Chandrasekhar. Under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, six Tihar jail officials have already been arrested. The role of other jail officials are under scrutiny,” the officer said.

  • 2 actresses taken to Delhi’s Tihar jail to ‘recreate’ their meeting with conman Sukesh: Police

    An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet etc. It appeared like his office and not jail, said a police officer.

  • Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar case: ED makes revelations in Supreme Court, opposes change of jail

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday made some startling revelations in Supreme Court against “master conman” Sukesh Chandrashekhar that he indulged in money laundering, extortion, impersonation of public officials including that of those holding constitutional posts, and opposed his plea for prison transfer outside Delhi.

    The probe agency sought to intervene in a plea of Chandrashekhar, who is lodged in Tihar jail on charges of money laundering and duping several people, and his wife seeking their transfer to a prison outside Delhi alleging threat to their lives from jail staff.

    A vacation bench of Justices CT Ravi Kumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that ED would like to intervene in the plea as it is the investigating agency that is probing the money laundering charges against the accused.

    Mehta said that the ED has to say something about the conduct of the petitioners. The bench agreed to list the plea on Tuesday.

    In its intervention application, the ED said Chandrashekhar has repeatedly committed offences including that of money laundering during his incarceration in the jail by subverting the legal system and prison rules with the help of his knowledge of technology and his abilities to con people.

    “Sukesh Chandrashekhar has created a web through his devious mechanism. He is a master conman and with technology, at his disposal, he could execute to perfection his plan,” the agency said. The ED said that it has been found that Sukesh and his wife Leena were running an organized crime syndicate with the aid and association of other associates, added in the syndicate from time to time.

    “That being inside the jail, he was threatening people to do what he wished or face consequences. The proceeds of crime were used to purchase cars, houses in Chennai, various luxury items, clothes, etc., and were utilized to open a salon for his wife, to give expensive gifts to celebrities, and to jail authorities to manage facilities in jail,” it said.

    It added that the investigation has also revealed that he had transferred funds abroad to various jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Dubai while being in custody in prison. “The investigation qua the amounts spent on the jail authorities and the money sent abroad is pending,” it said, adding that Chandrashekhar has admitted that he used mobile-based applications “hushed” and “crazy call” for voice modulation and purchased virtual numbers.

    It said that Chandrashekar had utilized proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities related to the scheduled offence in the acquisition of residential property in Chennai, acquisition of various high-end vehicles, investment in saloon operated by her wife co-accused Leena Maria Paulose by the name “The Nail Artistry”, providing luxury gifts to the celebrities (actresses) and making expenses on behalf of them (celebrities), Air Travels by chartered flights and funds were given to jail authorities also to manage all facilities in jail.

    The probe agency named several TV and Bollywood personalities with whom the ‘conman’ has contacts and used to give them expensive gifts.

    The probe agency said that during interrogation it was revealed that “Sukesh was maintaining a personal office in Tihar Jail which was located above the office of Chandra’s office. It was a well-furnished office. Some officials in police uniform saluted these ladies while entering Tihar jail and these ladies were allowed to enter Tihar jail premises without an I-card”.

    “That in the present case Sukesh Chandrashekhar while in custody in prison impersonated Law secretary Anup Kumar and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and extorted an amount to the tune of Rs. 215 crores from the Aditi Singh (wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh) as per quantification till date on the pretext of contribution to party funds. The extorted money was collected by Deepak Ramnani, who was introduced to Sukash by Sanjay Chandra (ex-promoter of Unitech group),” it said.

    The agency said that it was also revealed that one BMW car and one Innova car were maintained by Sukesh in Tihar jail premises for picking up and dropping the guests of Sukesh including these ladies at the gate of Tihar Jail.

    The agency said that apparently, the BMW car belonged to Chandrashekhar and Innova car belonged to Chandra’s and it was also revealed that Sukesh used to give cash and expensive gifts to these ladies (celebrities) in his office only which was located in Tihar Jail.

    “That in light of the above facts and circumstances, all mechanisms to plug the loopholes have been fixed in Tihar jail and strong measures have been taken against the conspiring officials, hence it would be in the interest of justice that the accused remains in Tihar Jail,” it said.

    It said that Chandrashekhar’s petition seeking his transfer to another prison is yet another ploy to repeat the same misdemeanors in another jail facility and exploit the loopholes where the jail authorities are not familiar with his innovative methods of con-manship.

    The agency said that Tihar Jail has ensured that it would thwart any future possibility of misuse of jail facilities but for any new prison to put in place similar measures of even to come to terms with the sophisticated means of con-manship by Chandrashekar will take time and transferring them to any other prison would be hazardous as he is likely to repeat the same mischief and offences from within the jail as he has done on repeat occasions in the past.

  • Tihar jail inmate swallows mobile phone, hospitalised

    By Online Desk

    A prisoner at the high-security Tihar Jail in Delhi was hospitalised after he swallowed a mobile phone, an official said here on Friday.

    The incident took place on Wednesday (January 5), Director General (Prison) Sandeep Goel told news agency IANS. 

    “One inmate of Jail no.1, Tihar, swallowed a mobile phone when our staff approached him for search on suspicion,” the DG said.

    He informed that the said inmate was then immediately taken to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in the city.

    “Although his condition was fine so far, the mobile phone was still inside his body,” Goel said.

    The Tihar jail has been strengthening its security arrangements following major backlash it has received over its officials being caught providing facilities to the inmates, of which the main gadget was a mobile phone.

    Over 40 officials at the Tihar jail have been booked by various law enforcement agencies during the past six months for extending benefits to the prisoners in one or another way.

    According to Goel, Tihar jail will soon have two X-ray based human body scanners that can prevent infiltration of illegal articles and gadgets inside the prison premises.

    The usage of mobile phones by inmates is a serious concern, however, can be tackled with the usage of apt technology.

    Goyal said they are installing three new towers inside the jail premises that would confine the mobile signals emanating from the prison.

    “All these measures are steps in the right direction and can prove beneficial in future,” he added.

  • Sorry state of affairs in Tihar Jail, murders happening in prison, says SC; seeks MHA report

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Wednesday said it is a “sorry state of affairs” in Tihar Jail which has become a den of criminals and murders are happening there, while directing the Home Ministry to take immediate steps on prison reforms and enhance management.

    The apex court also expressed annoyance over the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) not filing an action plan and report on steps taken on the suggestions given by Delhi Commissioner of Police Rakesh Asthana.

    The top court was informed by Delhi Police that it has registered an FIR under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC against 37 persons with regard to collusion with realty firm Unitech’s imprisoned ex-promoters Sanjay and Ajay Chandra.

    The Enforcement Directorate had made a startling revelation recently that it had unearthed a “secret underground office” here which was being operated by erstwhile Unitech founder Ramesh Chandra and visited by his sons Sanjay and Ajay when on parole or bail.

    Both Sanjay and Ajay who are in jail since August 2017 are accused of allegedly siphoning home buyers’ money.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said Asthana’s report has recommended the installation of CCTV cameras, mobile jammers, body scanners and other security measures in Tihar Jail but there is no report before it on the compliance of the October 6 order by MHA.

    “It is a sorry state of affairs in Tihar Jail. We have read in newspapers two-three days back that murder is happening in the jail. It has become a den for criminals. The concerned secretary in MHA should file an action plan and a report on steps taken so far on the suggestions given by Delhi Commissioner of Police Rakesh Asthana within three weeks,” the bench said.

    “Take immediate and prompt steps and file a report. Neither has any action plan been submitted nor any status report has been filed by the MHA on the steps taken so far,” it added.

    At the outset, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for Delhi Police, informed the top court that it has registered FIR under various Sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code which include 32 jail officials, the Chandras as well as one associate and two of their staff for collusion and carrying out unauthorised activities from the prison.

    He said the investigation was still underway and on the next date of hearing they will file a report in this regard.

    Nataraj said that Asthana’s report has been forwarded to the MHA as directed by the court and it is pending consideration before the ministry.

    The bench said, “Consideration means what? There are suggestions that some immediate reforms are necessary for the report. There needs to be body scanners and jammers to ensure that there is no unauthorised use of mobile phones. You should not wait for something to happen in the future”.”

    The bench said that it would also seek a report from the Delhi government on the suspension of jail officials who have been booked for collusion.

    The top court also perused a report of Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) report on the affairs of Unitech and the ex-promoters and said that the agency should continue its investigation and file a status report within three weeks.

    Besides, it sought a report from the Enforcement Directorate which is probing the money laundering charges against the Chandra brothers.

    On October 6, the top court had directed suspension of Tihar Jail officials, registration of case against them and full-fledged probe into their collusion with Chandra brothers, based on Asthana’s report.

    It had directed registration of cases against the Tihar Jail officials and other unknown persons under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC against those involved in the collusion as per the report.

    It had also directed suspension of Tihar Jail officials, pending proceedings against whom cases will be lodged as per the report, following ED’s disclosure that the Chandra brothers were conducting business from prison.

    The top court had further directed the MHA to comply with Asthana’s suggestions in the report on enhancing prison management.

    On August 26, the apex court had directed that the Chandra brothers be shifted from Tihar Jail in the national capital to Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail and Taloja prison in Maharashtra after the ED had said that they were conducting business from the premises in connivance with the staff.

    The top court, which had then perused two status reports of the ED, said that the Tihar Jail Superintendent and other staff are “absolutely shameless” for conniving with the Chandra brothers to flout the court orders and undermine its jurisdiction.

    Pursuant to the direction of the top court, the Chandra brothers were shifted to jails in Mumbai.

    It had directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to personally hold inquiry forthwith about the conduct of the Tihar Jail staff with regard to the Chandras and submit the report to the court within four weeks.

    ED and SFIO, Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police is also conducting investigation into the affairs of the Unitech Group and business transactions of erstwhile promoters of the real estate company.

  • SC directs full-fledged probe into collusion of Tihar jail officials with ex-Unitech promoters

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Wednesday directed a full-fledged probe into the collusion of Tihar Jail officials with Unitech’s imprisoned ex-promoters Sanjay and Ajay Chandra, based on Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana’s report filed in a sealed cover.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah directed registration of criminal cases against Tihar Jail officials and other unknown persons under relevant provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code against those involved in collusion on the basis of the report.

    It also directed suspension of Tihar Jail officials, pending proceedings against whom cases will be lodged as per the report, following ED’s disclosure that the Chandra brothers were conducting business from prison.

    The top court further directed the Home Ministry to comply with Asthana’s suggestions in the report on enhancing prison management and allowed a copy to be shared with the ministry for necessary compliance of directions.

    Besides, the court also took on record reports filed in sealed cover by Enforcement Directorate (ED), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), and Delhi Police, and listed the matter for further hearing on October 21.

    On August 26, the apex court had directed that the Chandra brothers be shifted from Tihar Jail in the national capital to Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail and Taloja prison in Maharashtra after the ED had said that they were conducting business from the premises in connivance with the staff.

    The top court, which then perused two status reports of the ED, had said Tihar Jail Superintendent and other staff are “absolutely shameless” for conniving with the Chandra brothers to flout the court orders and undermine its jurisdiction.

    Pursuant to the direction of the top court, the Chandra brothers were shifted to jails in Mumbai.

    The two ED reports have raised some “serious and disturbing” issues for consideration and will be dealt with accordingly, the top court had said.

    It had directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to personally hold inquiry forthwith about the conduct of the Tihar Jail staff with regard to the Chandras and submit the report to the court within four weeks.

    The ED had made a startling revelation that it had unearthed a “secret underground office” here which was being operated by erstwhile Unitech founder Ramesh Chandra and visited by his sons Sanjay and Ajay when on parole or bail.

    The ED, which has been investigating money laundering charges against the Chandras and realty firm Unitech Ltd, said in its report that both Sanjay and Ajay have rendered the entire judicial custody meaningless as they have been freely communicating, instructing their officials and disposing of properties from inside the jail in connivance with the prison staff there.

    Besides ED and SFIO, Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police is also conducting investigation into the affairs of the Unitech Group and business transactions of erstwhile promoters of the real estate company.

    Both Sanjay and Ajay who are in jail since August 2017 are accused of allegedly siphoning home buyers’ money.

    The top court in its October 2017 order had asked them to deposit Rs 750 crore with the apex court registry by December 31, 2017.

    The brothers have claimed that they complied with the court’s conditions and they have deposited an amount in excess of Rs 750 crore and, therefore, they are granted bail.

  • Ankit Gujjar death: Two deputy superintendents among nine officials from Tihar jail to face action

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi Prisons Department on Tuesday said departmental action will be taken against two deputy superintendents and seven other officials in connection with the death of Tihar Jail inmate Ankit Gujjar after an inquiry found negligence on their part.

    Two assistant superintendents, three head warders and two warders are also among the nine prison officials who will face action, the department said.

    A departmental inquiry into the death of Gujjar had found negligence on the part of certain prison staffers.

    The inquiry was conducted by the DIG prisons.

    “Departmental action will be taken against nine personnel who were found negligent in the DIG inquiry.

    Out of them, four have already been suspended,” Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said.

    A report about the negligent conduct of jail doctors will be sent to the health department of the Delhi government, officials said.

    Gujjar was found dead inside his cell in Tihar jail while two of his former cellmates, who were lodged in an adjacent lockup, were found injured on August 4.

    In a petition filed through advocates Mehmood Pracha and Shariq Nisar, the family has alleged that Gujjar was being harassed by jail officials as he was “unable to meet their regularly increasing demands for money” and was murdered “as a part of pre-planned conspiracy”.

    The Delhi High Court had observed that the nature of injuries sustained by inmate Gujjar clearly show that it was a case of custodial violence.

    The initial police investigation had found that security personnel allegedly assaulted Gujjar after the gangster slapped a deputy superintendent.

    Gujjar was involved in several criminal cases.

    He had allegedly killed a BJP leader.

    Tihar officials had earlier said the three inmates were lodged in the same cell till August 3 night when they had a fight with the jail staff after a mobile phone was found from outside their cell.

    The jail staff then shifted Gujjar to another cell from where his body was recovered the next morning, they had said.

    Following the incident, four jail officials, including the deputy superintendent, were suspended for alleged negligence and eight others were shifted from Central Jail No. 3.

    The Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested a 28-year-old man, Satender alias Satte, who was allegedly planning to “harm” a senior jail official to avenge Gujjar’s death.

    Satte had asked his associate to procure an AK-47 rifle to eliminate a deputy superintendent of Tihar Jail, the audio of which later went viral.