India, Oct. 31 -- New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Directorate of Vigilance (DOV) to appoint within two weeks an inquiry officer to initiate disciplinary proceedings against nine Tihar jail officials, suspended for their alleged role in an extortion racket run from inside the prison in collusion with inmates, and complete the same at the earliest possible time.

This was after the Delhi government's additional chief secretary, home department, apprised a bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela of an October 30 letter sent to the DOV, requesting the appointment of an inquiry officer. He further assured the bench that he would personally follow up with the DOV to ensure the officer's prompt a...