The gruesome murder of Sunil Balyan alias Tillu Tajpuriya inside the high security Tihar jail in the national capital, has exposed the condition of our prisons where the security of inmates continues to raise big questions. Tillu, who was lodged there was stabbed and attacked by fellow prisoners, owing allegiance to the rival Gogi gang, and the attack on him took place in the presence of the Jail staff, who stood there as mute spectators, when the conspiracy hatched to do away with him was being executed on that fateful day. The DG (Prisons) Sanjay Beniwal, has ordered a high-level inquiry and has also suspended more than half a dozen staffers for serious dereliction of duty. However, this is not sufficient and the authorities need to have a fresh look at the jail conditions, particular because of over-crowding and alleged illegal activities, that go on inside with the alleged connivance of those who should be providing security. This malaise is in virtually every prison in the country and the issue crops up time and again when such crimes are committed despite CCTV cameras and extra vigil, which is there to monitor the activities of the inmates as also to oversee the security arrangements. Tillu was the mastermind of the murder of his one-time friend turned foe, Jitender Mann alias Gogi, who was gunned down in the premises of the Rohini Court in December, 2021. In view of the gang rivalry that existed between the two gangs, it was a matter of time when there would be retaliation, which normally happens in such cases. This should have been the primary reason, why Tillu should have been kept under closer watch, and given better security till his trial got over, and he was held guilty by the law. The rival gang members, also lodged in the same jail for various other offences, had been planning this crime for some time.
They had improvised their weapons by cutting metal sheets and were just waiting for an opportunity. The jail staff was apparently caught off-guard though the inquiry would establish their complicity, if any in the commission of the crime. Tillu like many others who embrace the world of lawlessness, had been cut off from his family. Nevertheless, many residents of his village, did mourn his death. The incident could lead to a series of measures that maybe initiated by the authorities, but it would always remain important to get down to the bottom of this incident, to plug the lapses. Tihar jail’s security was the subject matter of investigation recently when a Conman managed to extort money from the spouses of two jailed industrialists, and also presented expensive gifts to starlets from the film industry. This issue also alarmed the authorities, who are still trying to figure out, how cell phones were smuggled inside, to facilitate the conman to make his calls. More than three decades ago, a sensational jail break had taken place at Tihar when international criminal, Charles Sobhraj along with some of his associates, fled after drugging the jail guards with sweets laced with drugs. What also needs to be looked into in an objective manner is the growing incidents of prisoners in police or judicial custody being killed with so much ease. The Central government and the Apex Court must take cognizance of the faultlines in our prison system and take remedial measures without any further delay.