Ankit Gujjar: Delhi High Court directs DG (Prisons) to file status report on safety of eyewitnesses

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Director General (Prisons) of Tihar Jail to file a status report on the measures undertaken to ensure the safety and security of the eyewitnesses to the custodial death of gangster Ankit Gujjar [Gurpreet Singh alias Badal alias Akash v. State]..Justice Mukta Gupta stated in her order,"Appropriate directions to be issued for ensuring the security of the eyewitnesses in this case who have approached the Court for protection. The Director General of Prisons is directed to file a status report indicating the measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of the three inmates currently in custody along with the two who will be surrendering on September 24, after the expiry of their interim bail.".The Court was hearing a plea filed by five eyewitnesses to the incident. These eyewitnesses were also inmates of the Tihar Jail and had approached the Court for protection..In its order passed today, the Court also took note of the contention that the eyewitnesses were being pressured to change their stance."Following Gujjar's death, a plea was filed before this Court seeking a transfer of investigation in this case. Now, pressure is being mounted on the eyewitnesses to change their stance," the Court said.Out of the five eyewitnesses seeking protection, two were out on interim bail. In regard to the latter, the Court said,"These (two) inmates belonged to Jail number 3 of Tihar Prison and were released on parole the same evening of the incident. After their release, they promptly informed Ankit Gujjar's family of his demise. However, they are required to surrender on September 24.".Finally, the Court issued notice to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central and Delhi governments."DG Prison shall ensure that petitioners (inmates) 1 to 3 will be in custody. Whereas, petitioners 4 and 5 will surrender on September 24. All inmates are to be kept inside an area that will strictly be monitored by a fully functional CCTV. Status report to be filed as well," the order stated. .Advocate Mehmood Pracha appeared for the eyewitnesses, whereas Advocate Nandita Rao appeared for the Delhi government. Advocates Rajesh Kumar and Ayush Aggarwal represented the CBI and Union of India respectively..Gujjar was allegedly murdered in Tihar Jail by officials last month. Following this, last week the Delhi High Court had directed the CBI to take control of the probe from the Delhi Police..Delhi High Court transfers investigation into death of Tihar inmate Ankit Gujjar to CBI