Annoyed with her cavalier style of the functioning, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday upbraided Tihar’s Director General (DG) Vimla Mehra. The Chief Minister was particularly upset about DG’s non-compliance and her refusal to share the reports pertaining to alleged suicide of Ram Singh, main accused in December 16 gang-rape case.
In a meeting, Dikshit expressed her dissatisfaction with Mehra’s style of functioning. Delhi Chief Secretary DM Spolia, Secretary (Home) Arvind Ray and other senior officers were also present.
Dikshit was annoyed that the DG (Prisons) had not shared the inquiry report related to suicide of Ram Singh, said sources. “The inquiry report was neither given to her or nor the Chief Secretary and this is not the first time such things has happened,” said the sources. The Chief Minister have reportedly stated that most of the time, news comes from media and jail authorities do not inform the Government at any level.
While discussing the various aspects of security inside the jail, Dikshit instructed the authorities to chalk out a blueprint to improve the security. The blueprint with comprehensive steps to strengthen the existing security related infrastructure and administrative steps should be prepared also taking into consideration the lapses and deficiencies observed in the recent past. The authorities have been directed to submit the blueprint within a week. During the meeting, the DG (Prisons) has also explained the problems being faced by the jail authorities and she also highlighted that there is acute shortage of manpower in Tihar in the wake of increasing number of inmates. According to sources, Dikshit has assured that there would not be any problem if they need more manpower they should ask the Government.
Dikshit also instructed the DG (Prisons) to take steps to prevent such incidents of assault among the prisoners and clashes between various groups of the inmates. Further, the authorities have been asked to keep all CCTVs and mobile phone jammers functional.
Dikshit also underlined the need to take effective measures to contain incidents of smuggling of objectionable items inside the Jail. The authorities have also been told to keep a close eye on the movement and activities of inmates especially convicts of dreaded criminal cases. She made it clear that the city Government would not tolerate such lapses in future.