Gangster Tillu Tajpuriya murder: Delhi HC asks jail authorities why no remedial action taken, calls it 'unacceptable state of affairs'

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court expressed its concern on Monday regarding the discovery of four knives within the premises of Tihar prison, where gangster Tillu Tajpuriya was allegedly stabbed to death by inmates belonging to a rival gang.

The court deemed this situation as an "unacceptable state of affairs" and questioned the jail authorities about their lack of preventive or remedial action when the incident occurred, especially considering that the entire event was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the jail premises.

Justice Jasmeet Singh issued a notice to the Director General of Prisons (Delhi), the Delhi government, and police commissioner in response to a petition filed by Tajpuriya's father and brother. The petitioners, who are DTC drivers, are seeking a CBI investigation into the "brutal murder" that took place inside Tihar Jail on May 2. They also requested adequate security measures for themselves.
Represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh, the petitioners argued that the killing of Tajpuriya indicated collusion between the jail officials and the offending inmates, as the video footage clearly showed that no jail official intervened to save him. It was mentioned that the deceased had been transferred to Tihar jail just 15 days prior to the incident after previously being held in Rohini jail.
The high court directed the Delhi Police to ensure safety and security of both the petitioners, and listed the matter for further hearing on May 25.
The judge watched the video in the court and said it was seen that Tajpuriya was taken out of his cell and stabbed to death.
The court said it was unable to comprehend why no action was taken by jail officials and sought to know if any of the officials have been suspended for the lapses.
"This is totally an unacceptable state of affairs. The security of every prisoner is on the respondent. I am unable to gather what is happening here," the judge said.
The high court directed additional standing counsel Rahul Tyagi, representing the state, to file an affidavit within one week through the Director General of Prisons explaining how four knives were found in prison.
It also asked the jail superintendent concerned to be present in the court on the next date of hearing.
"The affidavit shall also explain if the incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in Tihar jail premises, why no preventive/remedial action was taken by the respondents.
"The affidavit shall indicate the responsibility and accountability of the jail officials responsible for the lapses," the judge said.
A CCTV video from Tihar jail which emerged on social media purportedly showed Tajpuriya being attacked in front of security personnel and also when they were carrying him away after he was stabbed.
Tajpuriya was assaulted with improvised weapons allegedly by four members of the Gogi gang inside the high-security prison on May 2.
The accused attacked him for a second time when he was being carried away by security personnel, according to the footage.
In the footage, it appeared that the security personnel were mute spectators while the assailants kept repeatedly attacking the gangster.
According to jail officials, seven personnel of the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TNSP), who were on duty at a Tihar prison cell when Tajpuriya was stabbed to death, have been suspended following the incident.
During the hearing, the counsel for the state and jail authorities submitted that it was a case of gang war and this was done by Tajpuriya's rival gangsters.
He said the case has been transferred to the Special Cell of Delhi Police for investigation and that the accused inmates had cut the bars of the prison cell.
To this, the judge said, "Should I record that you (jail officials) are not responsible and prisoners are free to cut the jail bars? This is unacceptable."
(With inputs from PTI)