New Delhi, The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s leading investigative agency, has requested authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs to file a case against former Director General of Prisons in Delhi, Sandeep Goel, and retired Indian Administrative Service officer Mukesh Prasad, for their alleged involvement in a multimillion-rupee extortion scheme within jails.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the CBI’s request for the mandatory sanction targets Goel, a 1989 batch Indian Police Service officer suspended last year, and Prasad, who served as the additional inspector general in Tihar Jail. The CBI’s action requires approval from the home ministry under Section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act before it can proceed with its investigation against these officials.

The allegations claim that Goel and Prasad, in collaboration with former jail minister Satyendar Jain, extorted and received Rs 12.50 crore from Chandrashekhar, an inmate held as an undertrial for several years. the money was extorted and received in various installments between 2019 and 2022, either directly or through intermediaries. The payments were reportedly made as “protection money,” ensuring Chandrashekhar a peaceful and comfortable stay in jail.

This development has brought to light the issues of corruption and misuse of power within the Indian prison system, revealing the involvement of high-ranking officials in criminal activities. The case awaits the home ministry’s decision to move forward, potentially leading to significant implications for the accused individuals and the broader justice system in India.