Delhi Jail Extortion Racket Busted, 11 Arrested, Including Prison Officials

The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested 11 people , including an assistant superintendent, six jail warders, two advocates and two private individuals , for allegedly operating an extortion and bribery racket inside Delhi prisons. The accused are alleged to have demanded money from the families of undertrial prisoners in exchange for ensuring their safety, protection, preferential treatment and other unauthorised facilities within jail premises.

According to the ACB, the investigation began after a complaint was filed on February 9 by a man who alleged that he was being forced to make regular payments to secure the safety and comfort of his father and brother, both lodged as undertrial prisoners in Rohini Jail . Acting on the complaint, the agency registered an FIR and launched an investigation.

As part of the probe, the ACB laid a trap and allegedly caught members of the syndicate accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe . The initial operation led to the arrest of four prison staff members, an advocate and a private individual.

Further investigation uncovered what officials described as a well-organised criminal network involving prison officials, inmates, advocates and private persons. Investigators examined bank accounts, financial transactions, digital evidence and mobile phone records, which allegedly revealed that extorted money was routed through multiple bank accounts before being withdrawn in cash and distributed among members of the network.

Based on the evidence gathered, the ACB arrested Sunil Kumar , an assistant superintendent posted at Rohini Jail, along with two more jail warders, an advocate and another private individual, taking the total number of arrests to 11 .

The ACB said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals linked to the alleged Delhi jail extortion racket , trace the complete money trail and determine the full extent of the conspiracy. The crackdown marks a significant action against alleged corruption involving prison officials and others accused of exploiting undertrial prisoners and their families.