Question : DEATH OF PRISONERS IN TIHAR JAIL

(a) the total number of prisoners who died and those who fell sick due to food poisoning in Tihar Jail during each of the last three years and thereafter as on date;

(b) whether any responsibility has been fixed for the deaths occurring in the above jail;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there had been instances where arms, mobile phones etc. were found unauthorisedly being smuggled into the jail; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to check the entry of intoxicating substances, arms, mobile phones etc. in the jail and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a): During the last three years and upto 5th May, 2005 none of the prisoners lodged in the Central Jail, Tihar, died or became sick due to toxic food.

(b) & (c): Do not arise.

(d) & (e): Two such cases were detected recently. In one, a mobile phone without SIM Card was recovered. In the other case, three knives including one button activated knife were recovered from a truck that was carrying raw vegetables into the Jail. Cases have been registered under relevant Acts in both the cases.

The Jail Administration has taken several steps to curb activities. These include searching and frisking of the staff and visitors before entering and leaving the Jail premises; carrying out surprise searches under the supervision of senior officers; taking stern action against the culprits found possessing/smuggling prohibited items inside the prison etc.