CBI Initiates Inquiry Into Alleged Extortion Racket in Delhi Prisons

The CBI has launched a preliminary inquiry into allegations of an extortion racket operating from Tihar and other Delhi prisons. Sukesh Chandrasekar's petition prompted the inquiry, and a status report was filed with the Delhi High Court. The court will hear the matter again in November 2024.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a preliminary inquiry into allegations of an extortion racket operating from Tihar and other prisons in Delhi, following a petition filed by Sukesh Chandrasekar.

A status report was submitted by the CBI to the Delhi High Court, with Justice Amit Sharma noting in a July 19 order that the report reflects initiation of a preliminary inquiry based on the allegations by the petitioner. A hearing has been scheduled for November 18, 2024.

The inquiry stems from a complaint lodged by Chandrasekar, who claimed that two senior officials extorted Rs 12.50 crore from him between December 2019 and June 2022. The CBI acknowledged receiving source information and has begun investigating the charges, which were initially revealed during an Economic Offence Wing investigation in 2021 and corroborated via statements to the Enforcement Directorate.