CBI Seeks Sanction for FIR Against Former Delhi Jail Minister and Ex-Director General for Alleged Extortion

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought sanction from the government to file an FIR against former Delhi jail minister Satyendar Jain and former director general of prisons Sandeep Goel. The CBI alleges that the two individuals extorted crores of rupees from high-profile prisoners, including Sukesh Chandrashekhar, in exchange for a comfortable life in jail. The agency has approached the office of the Lieutenant Governor for Jain and jail officer Raj Kumar, while for Goel and retired IAS Mukesh Prasad, they have approached the Union Home Ministry.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has vehemently denied any association, communication, or financial transactions between Jain and Chandrashekhar or any of his associates. Goel, who is a suspended IPS officer, was accused of extortion last year and subsequently suspended by the Home Ministry.

The CBI alleges that Jain, Goel, Prasad, and Kumar operated a high-level corruption and extortion racket in Delhi jails. The agency claims to have source information that Jain allegedly received 10 crore rupees from Chandrashekhar in various tranches from 2018 to 2021 as protection money. Similarly, Goel and Prasad allegedly extorted and received 12.50 crore rupees from Chandrashekhar and other high-profile prisoners between 2019 and 2022. The agency also alleges that Raj Kumar, the former jail superintendent, assisted Goel in extorting money from Chandrashekhar.

Jain, Goel, Prasad, and Kumar are accused of misusing their official positions as public servants to provide undue favor and advantage to Chandrashekhar and other high-profile inmates in exchange for valuable considerations. The CBI requires sanction before officially filing an FIR or a case against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The investigation into the alleged extortion and corruption racket highlights the need for accountability and transparency in the prison system. It is vital that the justice system takes such allegations seriously and addresses them promptly to maintain public trust.