Is there a parallel system running in jails?," the Supreme Court asked on Thursday while referring to media reports that LED TV, sofa and other prohibited items were found in a Tihar jail cell where Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra and his brother Ajay have been lodged. A Bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur asked the Centre as to what action has been taken in the matter.
It said a report by Additional Sessions Judge, who carried out inspection in the jail on September 4 following complaints from inmates that the Chandra brothers and others were enjoying "luxurious lifestyle", was already available.
"Report of a judge says that Unitech officials are enjoying facilities in Tihar. Is there a parallel system running in jails? Do they have special rights in jails? What have you done about it?," the bench, also comprising justice Deepak Gupta, asked the Centre's counsel. "These persons are enjoying TV. God knows what all they are enjoying.
They are sitting on sofas," the bench observed. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aman Lekhi, appearing for the Centre, said that action must be taken in such cases and such instances have to be "tackled seriously". When the ASG said the top court was dealing with the issue related to speedy trial for undertrial prisoners, the bench observed, "We are dealing with something which is shocking".