CBI takes over probe in gangster Ankit Gujjar death in Tihar jail

THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the death of gangster Ankit Gujjar, inside Tihar jail last month. This follows a direction from the Delhi High Court that on September 7 transferred the probe to the CBI.

The 29-year-old gangster was found dead and two others were injured inside his cell in Tihar jail on August 4.

The mother, sister, and brother of deceased Ankit Gujjar had petitioned the Delhi High Court alleging that Ankit was mercilessly beaten up by Tihar jail authorities and that he had been long harassed by them as he was unable to meet the regularly increasing demands for money by jail officials.

Referring to the post-mortem report, Justice Mukta Gupta observed "From injuries, it is evident that deceased was brutally beaten and left unattended as the case of Jail administration itself is that at around 1.00 AM on the intervening night of 3rd/4th August 2021 Ankit complained of body ache upon which the duty doctor and nursing staff gave him a pain killer injection and he refused any further treatment.

"A perusal of the post-mortem report of the deceased Ankit belies the version of the Deputy Superintendent, Narender Meena and other staff that a scuffle took place in which both Narender Meena and Ankit received injuries," the judge said, remarking, "Not only did Narender Meena and others assault the deceased mercilessly, the jail doctor on duty also failed to perform his duty when he examined Ankit at 1.00 am in night and administered the injection, as he neither informed the senior officers of the condition of Ankit nor referred Ankit to the Hospital."

The Tihar DGP informed the high court that an internal inquiry was also initiated and Narender Meena, Deputy Superintendent, Deepak Dabas, Assistant Superintendent, Balraj, Assistant Superintendent and Shiva, Warder have been placed under suspension. Further, eight more jail officials have been shifted from Central Jail No.3 till further orders. The Superintendent, Central Jail No.3 has also been transferred to prison headquarters.

Click here to read the CBI's FIR