A major untoward incident at Asia’s largest prison Tihar was averted by security officials when they stopped a group of inmates from attending a celebrity function after getting wind of their plans to indulge in violence during the event. later around 30 inmates allegedly inflicted self injuries on themselves in a bid to convey their displeasure.
The incident took place on November 10 at the launch event of the second season of Tihar Idol, a singing talent show that the authorities of the high- security jail first organised in 2012 on the lines of Indian Idol. Playback singer Sonu Nigam had launched the show and other noted singers, including Raja Hassan, Nandini Dev and actress Akriti Bharti and Sonu’s father Agam Nigam, had also performed at the show. Security officials of the jail revealed that the inmates of special security jail had planned to create violence during the event as all of them were supposed to be freed in bulk, within the jail premise to attend the function.
The jail administration, which got wind of the plan, blacklisted a number of inmates who were then not allowed to attend the function and kept confined to their ward. The incident took place in Ward Number 8 around 9 pm on November 10. On the night of the function, 27 inmates who were not allowed to attend the function keeping security measures in mind were found to be injured in their ward. All of them were given medical treatment and the police were informed as well. Most of the inmates when questioned by police confessed to have inflicted those injuries on themselves. A case has also been registered with this regard. According to sources, blades and other sharp objects were used in the incident which was later recovered during searches in the ward.