Bilaspur: Chhattisgarh High Court Takes Strong Note of Illegal Extortion in Prisons, DG Jail Given Strict Warning

Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken serious note of illegal extortion being carried out from prisoners and their families in state prisons, putting the state government and prison administration under scrutiny. During the hearing on Monday, the bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice B.D. Guru said that prisons are meant to be correctional institutions, but reports of corruption and forced extortion from within them are extremely alarming.

The Court directed the Director General (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Services to submit a detailed report on what actions have been taken so far against the guilty prison staff and the outcomes of these actions. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for September 22, 2025.

According to the affidavit submitted to the High Court, 87 cases of extortion have been reported so far from Durg Central Jail. Out of these, charge sheets have been filed in six cases, five cases are pending trial, one accused has been acquitted, and one case is still under investigation. Alarmingly, it was revealed that money was being collected from prisoners’ families via PhonePe through a mobile number linked to a snack center outside the jail.

In Janjgir-Champa District Jail, the demand for money by two guards from a prisoner’s family was proven, and the District Jail Superintendent sent a proposal for action after police investigation. Similarly, in Sarangarh-Bilaspur Sub-Jail, a serious case of extortion and assault on prisoners was reported, resulting in FIRs against six accused, with the trial now pending in court.

In Jashpur District Jail, a lawyer had filed a complaint alleging that money was demanded from his brother under the pretext of providing him phone call facilities. A committee has been formed by the district administration to investigate the matter, and proceedings are still ongoing.

The Court stated that such incidents in prisons violate the fundamental rights of prisoners and constitute a serious blow to law and order. The use of extortion, physical assault, and even online payment methods by prison staff amounts to a grave crime. The High Court issued a clear warning to the DG Jail, insisting that concrete action taken against the guilty staff be presented before the Court.