Govt employees to get separate cells

The move is significant in the wake of allegations about the violation of basic norms in the prison.

Authorities of Tihar Jail have prepared new guidelines under which government employees will be kept in cells to separate them from other prisoners.

According to these guidelines, government servants, VIP prisoners, those who are 60 years of age or suffering from infectious diseases should be given "cell accommodation".

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"Prisoners who are government servants are more vulnerable. They may be attacked by other prisoners. So they will be given cells," Tihar Jail spokesman Sunil Kumar told PTI.

"The basic criteria is that needy people should be provided the facility." The move assumes significance in the wake of allegations about the violation of basic norms in the prison.

A direction asking all 10 jails in the Tihar complex to abide by the guidelines on cell accommodation has been issued by the prison's authorities.

Tihar Jail has about 500 cells. Each cell, which is equipped with an attached bathroom and toilet, accommodates one or three prisoners.