The HC had sought details from the Delhi government’s Home Department on the action it has taken following the court’s earlier direction to conduct an inquiry into the administrative lapses. (File Photo)The Delhi government on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it has suspended nine Tihar jail officials and initiated disciplinary proceedings against them over allegations of their involvement in running an extortion racket in connivance with jail inmates.The submission comes after the HC had sought details from the Delhi government’s Home Department on the action it has taken following the court’s earlier direction to conduct an inquiry into the administrative lapses.On Monday, the HC had also directed the CBI to lodge an FIR and investigate illegal and corrupt activities in the city’s jails, involving authorities and inmates. This came after the CBI had submitted a preliminary inquiry report, after perusal of which the court had observed that it indicates “the involvement of inmates and jail officials in various kinds of illegal and corrupt activities”.The government on Wednesday said it will file a report within two months, even as the court orally remarked, “Please follow disciplinary rules strictly”, referring to CCS Rules.The bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela granted eight weeks to the government to file its status report.In response to a petition alleging that inmates, with the help of jail authorities, were involved in irregularities and misconduct to “exact illegal money”, the High Court on May 2 directed the CBI to carry out a preliminary inquiry. It also asked the Home Department to conduct a separate investigation into administrative lapses.Last September, based on the allegations made in the petition, the HC had directed the Inspecting Judge of Tihar Jail to examine the evidence as well as the allegations in the petition and file his report.The court, upon perusal of the report by the Inspecting Judge — submitted in sealed cover — had recorded that “very disturbing and startling facts have been revealed pointing not only to certain irregularities and illegalities in the functioning of Tihar Jail but also to issues touching upon even criminal activities going on there.”Story continues below this adThe report had also recorded how the official landline number in the jail was being “misused by vested interests for promoting nefarious activities”.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:high courtTihar