{{short description|Prison centre in Delhi, India}} {{Other uses|Tihar (disambiguation)}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox prison | name = Tihar Jail | pushpin_map = India New Delhi#India | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Delhi##Location in India | location = Tihar Village, New Delhi, India | coordinates = {{coord|28|37|03|N|77|06|02|E|region:IN_type:city_source:kolossus-frwiki|display=inline,title}} | status = Operating | classification = Maximum | capacity = 5,200 (out of total 10,026 of other two jail) | population = 14,059 (out of total 20,458 of other two jail)<ref name=dept/> | populationdate = 31 December 2023 | opened = {{start date and age|1957}} | managed_by = Department of Delhi Prisons<br> Government of Delhi | website = {{URL|tiharprisons.delhi.gov.in}} }} '''Tihar Prisons''', popularly known as '''Tihar Jail''', is a prison complex in India and is one of the largest complexes of prisons in India. There are 9 functional prisons spread over more than 400 acres.<ref>[https://tiharprisons.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/generic_multiple_files/rtijail1.pdf, Tihar jail factsheet], TiharPrisons.delhi.gov.in, Retrieved 9 May 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.economist.com/asia/2012/05/05/more-dovecote-than-jail Tihar prison in India: More dovecote than jail]. The Economist (5 May 2012). Retrieved 31 May 2012.</ref> Run by Department of Delhi Prisons, the prison contains nine central prisons, and is one of the three prison complexes in Delhi. The other two prison complexes are at Rohini and Mandoli with one and six central prisons respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Website of Central Jail, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, India |url=https://tiharprisons.delhi.gov.in/ |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=tiharprisons.delhi.gov.in}}</ref> Tihar prison complex is located in Janakpuri, approximately 3 km from Tihar village in West Delhi.
The prison is styled as a correctional institution. Its main objective is to convert its inmates into ordinary members of society by providing them with useful skills, education, and respect for the law. It aims to improve the inmates' self-esteem and strengthen their desire to improve. To engage, rehabilitate, and reform its inmates, Tihar uses music therapy, which involves music training sessions and concerts.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Now-a-Tihar-Idol/articleshow/13962136.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126092721/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-10/news-and-interviews/32141512_1_tihar-inmates-tihar-prisons-jail-authorities | url-status=live | archive-date=26 January 2013 | work=The Times of India | title=Now, a Tihar Idol| date=10 June 2012}}</ref> The prison has its own radio station, run by inmates.<ref>{{cite news | title =Tihar gets its own radio station – TJ FM Radio | newspaper =The Economic Times| date =30 July 2013 | url =http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-30/news/40895457_1_tihar-jail-central-jail-radio-station | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20151003011002/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-30/news/40895457_1_tihar-jail-central-jail-radio-station | url-status =dead | archive-date =3 October 2015 | access-date =6 June 2014 }}</ref> There is also a prison industry within the walls, manned wholly by inmates, which bears the brand ''Tihar''.<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tihar-is-a-brand-talk-business/top/32707-3.html Mukharji, Arunoday (4 February 2007) "Brand Tihar is serious business" "CNN-IBN"]. Ibnlive.com (20 June 2007). Retrieved 31 May 2012.</ref>
==History==
===Origin===
Originally, Tihar was a maximum-security prison run by the State of Punjab. In 1966 control was transferred to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Beginning in 1984, additional facilities were constructed, and the complex became Tihar Prison, also the largest jail in India.
===Reforms===
Under the charge of IPS officer Kiran Bedi, when she was Inspector General of Prisons, she instituted a number of prison reforms at Tihar, including changing its name to Tihar Ashram. She also instituted a Vipassana meditation program for both staff and inmates; initial classes were taught by S. N. Goenka. The prison has also produced an inmate who passed the UPSC civil service examinations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090217032254/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/11/stories/2009021157300100.htm Relief to Tihar inmate after he makes it to IAS ] The Hindu, 11 February 2009</ref>
Many of the inmates continue their higher education through distance education. The campus placement program was launched in 2011 for the rehabilitation of inmates about to complete their sentences. In 2014, a recruitment drive led to 66 inmates selected on the basis of their good conduct, received job offers with salaries up to {{INR Convert|35000|}} per month, from as many as 31 recruiters, which included educational institutions, NGOs and private companies.<ref>{{cite web | title = Recruitment drive in Tihar jail: Inmate offered Rs 35,000 per month | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Recruitment-drive-in-Tihar-jail-Inmate-offered-Rs-35000-per-month/articleshow/34745638.cms |date= 6 May 2014|access-date = 8 May 2014 | work = The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Photo story: from jail to job, Tihar inmates get employed |work= Hindustan Times| url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jail-to-job-it-s-hiring-time-in-tihar/article1-1216274.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140507002811/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jail-to-job-it-s-hiring-time-in-tihar/article1-1216274.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 May 2014 |author=Soumya Pillai|date=7 May 2014| access-date = 8 May 2014 }}</ref>
===Escapes===
In 1986, Charles Sobhraj, a French serial killer, threw a big party for his prison guards and fellow inmates, drugged them with sleeping pills and walked out of the Tihar prison in March.<ref name="indiatimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/12-things-you-didn%E2%80%99t-know-about-the-infamous-charles-sobhraj-233025.html|title=12 Things You Didn't Know About The Infamous Charles Sobhraj|work=indiatimes.com|date=28 May 2015 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="nandiniramnath">{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/764804/charles-sobhraj-hated-india-but-the-country-got-to-him-in-the-end|title=Charles Sobhraj hated India, but the country got to him in the end|author=Nandini Ramnath|date=27 October 2015|work=Scroll.in|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref>
In 2004, Sher Singh Rana, who had been arrested for the murder of Phoolan Devi in 2001, escaped from Tihar jail in February. He was arrested again in 2006, in Kolkata.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2006|title=Phoolan murder accused arrested in Kolkata |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-phoolan-murder-accused-arrested-in-kolkata-1025995|access-date=9 June 2022|website=DNA India|language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920174346/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-phoolan-murder-accused-arrested-in-kolkata-1025995 |archive-date= 20 September 2022 }}</ref>
In 2015, two prisoners who were waiting for their trial in Tihar jail escaped through a tunnel in June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33307912|title=India prisoners dig tunnel to escape from Tihar jail |date=29 June 2015|publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231216222714/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33307912 |archive-date= 16 December 2023 }}</ref>
==Jail factory== thumb|Tihar Jail muffin and brownie.
In 1961, the Jail Factory was established in Central Jail No. 2 at Tihar. Over the years, its activities have expanded to include carpentry, weaving (handloom & powerloom), tailoring, chemicals, handmade paper, commercial art, and baking. Later, in 2009, a shoe manufacturing unit was established using the Public-Private Partnership model, and thus, the brand ''TJ's'' was launched. As of May 2014, 700 inmates work in these units, and 25% of their earnings are deposited in the Victim Welfare Fund, which provides compensation to the victims and their families.<ref>{{cite web | title = Tihar Jail Products | url = http://tihartj.nic.in/tihar_jail.asp| access-date = 8 May 2014 |publisher=Tihar Jail}}</ref> A CSR initiative has been launched to provide a Level 4 training program comprising 340 hours of coursework to 1,200 inmates from the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) to empower inmates for a productive post-release life, as a step toward the rehabilitation of undertrials incarcerated for minor offences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Livemint |date=25 November 2023 |title=Good news for prison inmates in Tihar! Now, they will get skills training |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/good-news-for-prison-inmates-in-tihar-now-they-will-get-skills-training-11700903840103.html |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>
==Prisoners==
===Politicians===
* Arvind Kejriwal — political vendetta by central agencies (later discharged by lower court).
* Amar Singh — former member of the Samajwadi Party, arrested in a cash-for-votes scandal<ref name="IT">[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/cash-for-votes-scam-amar-singh-140459-2011-09-06 Cash-for-votes scam: Court sends Amar Singh to judicial custody till 19 September],''India Today'', 6 September 2011</ref>
* Anubrata Mondal — Indian politician accused of cow smuggling<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Atri |date=2024-09-25 |title=Cattle Smuggling Case: Out from Tihar on bail, Anubrata says 'will always be with Didi' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/tmc-anubrata-mondal-cattle-smuggling-scam-bengal-delhi-hc-9585198/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* Anca Verma — wife of Abhishek Verma, co-accused in all his corruption cases<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/abhishek-bhalla/story/abhishek-verma-universe-of-lust-and-lucre-111535-2012-07-28|title=Press reports about Anca Neacsu wife of Abhishek Verma|publisher=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/arms-dealer-abhishek-vermas-wife-anca-neascu-goes-into-news-photo/146029316|title=Anca Neacsu photos from press reports|date=9 June 2012 |via=Getty Images}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/multi-crore-arms-deals-videos-of-home-ministry-alleged-kickbacks/268821|title=Multi-crore arms deals: videos of Home Ministry, alleged kickbacks}}</ref> * 2G spectrum case accused, including A. Raja, M. K. Kanimozhi, Vinod Goenka, Shahid Balwa, and Sanjay Chandra<ref name="BW" />
* Chandrashekhar Azad, an Indian politician<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-16 |title=Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad released from Tihar Jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bhim-army-chief-chandra-shekhar-azad-released-from-tihar-jail-1637563-2020-01-16 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
* Delhi liquor scam accused, including K. Kavitha, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Kumar Jain, and Sanjay Singh
* D. K. Shivakumar — former Minister in Karnataka Govt., sent to prison in money laundering case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/congress-leader-dk-shivakumar-sent-tihar-jail-money-laundering-case-109156|title = Congress leader DK Shivakumar sent to Tihar jail in money laundering case|date = 19 September 2019}}</ref>
* Kanhaiya Kumar<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2016-03-03 |title=Kanhaiya walks out of Tihar on bail |url=https://englisharchives.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/english-news-e214a3fc |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>
* Lalu Prasad Yadav — former Union Minister of Railways, former Chief Minister of Bihar, incarcerated for the Fodder Scam
* P. Chidambaram — former Union Minister of Finance, Judicial custody in relation to the INX media Corruption case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/inx-media-case-p-chidambaram-kapil-sibal-rouse-avenue-court-updates-1-1116939.html|title=14 दिन के लिए तिहाड़ जेल भेजे गए पूर्व वित्त मंत्री पी. चिदंबरम|work=Aaj Tak|language=en-IN}}</ref>
*Ripun Bora — education minister of Assam's Tarun Gogoi-led Congressional government, the main suspect in the Daniel Topno murder case, was arrested by CBI officials on 3 June 2008 and sent to Tihar on 7 June 2008{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
* Sanjay Gandhi — former Member of Parliament and husband of Maneka Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi
* Suresh Kalmadi — former president of the Indian Olympic Association, who was arrested for alleged corruption regarding the 2010 Commonwealth Games<ref name="BW">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613221314/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_25/b4233013968530.htm India's Powerful Can't Escape Jail], ''BusinessWeek'', 9 June 2011</ref>
===Gangsters and criminals ===
* Charles Sobhraj — an international serial killer, secretly escaped from Tihar on 16 March 1986, but was recaptured shortly thereafter, returned to the prison and sentenced to an additional ten years for the escape. He was released and deported upon the completion of his term on 17 February 1997.
* Chhota Rajan — Mumbai-based gangster<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Raj Shekhar |date=2024-04-22 |title=9 years after arrest, first pic of don Chhota Rajan from Tihar is out |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/chhota-rajan-in-focus-9-years-after-arrest/articleshow/109485755.cms |access-date=2025-07-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* Lawrence Bishnoi, Indian gangster<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2024 |title=How Lawrence Bishnoi Continues To Operate From Jail? Everything You Need To Know About The Gangster |url=https://www.news18.com/explainers/how-lawrence-bishnoi-continues-to-operate-from-jail-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-gangster-9085584.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
* Sonu Punjaban, Indian pimp<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-21 |title=Caught with mobile, pimp attempts suicide in Tihar Jail |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Caught-with-mobile-pimp-attempts-suicide-in-Tihar-Jail/articleshow/17300662.cms |access-date=2025-07-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
===Rapists ===
* 2012 Delhi gang rape accused; Ram Singh (died by suicide in March 2013),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-03-11 |title=Delhi rape case: Main accused Ram Singh commits suicide in Tihar Jail |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-rape-case-Main-accused-Ram-Singh-commits-suicide-in-Tihar-Jail/articleshow/18902304.cms |access-date=2025-07-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma; four surviving convicts executed on 20 March 2020<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-03-20 |title=Seven years later, all four Nirbhaya gang rape convicts hanged to death |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/Mar/20/seven-years-later-all-four-nirbhaya-gangrape-convicts-hanged-to-death-2119251.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* Geeta and Sanjay Chopra kidnapping case accused - Kuljeet Singh and Jasbir Singh — executed in 1982<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2020 |title=Tihar witnessed hanging of two other rape convicts in 1982 - Ranga and Billa |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tihar-witnessed-hanging-of-two-other-rape-convicts-in-1982-ranga-and-billa-120032000544_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321171648/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tihar-witnessed-hanging-of-two-other-rape-convicts-in-1982-ranga-and-billa-120032000544_1.html |archive-date=2020-03-21 |access-date=2025-07-07 |language=en |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>
===Terrorism and anti-nationalism===
Following convicts and/or under-trial accused of terrorism and/or anti-nationalism:
* Abhishek Verma — accused in Navy War Room Leak case & Scorpene Submarines deal.
* Afzal Guru — Kashmiri separatist and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist involved in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, who was executed on 9 February 2013
* Asif Iqbal Tanha<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paniyath |first=Nabeela |date=28 June 2021 |title=Our movement against CAA-NRC remains alive: Asif Iqbal Tanha on activism, faith, and a year in Tihar |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/crime/asif-iqbal-tanha-caa-nrc-delhi-violence-tihar-interview |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=The Caravan |language=en}}</ref>
* Erappungal Abubacker, anti-national activities done under banned Popular Front of India organization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdulla |first=Shaheen |date=2022-10-29 |title=Chronic illnesses put jailed PFI founder E Abubacker's "life at risk" |url=https://maktoobmedia.com/features/chronic-illnesses-put-jailed-pfi-founder-e-abubacker-life-at-risk/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Maktoob Media |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora, Khalistani militants, main accused in the assassination of Punjab Chief minister Beant Singh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040123/main2.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News|website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref>
* Jagtar Singh Johal — accused in 2016–17 targeted killings in Punjab, India<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Taggar |first1=Rajinder S. |title=Khalistanis in US, UK, Canada plan protests to seek release of KLF activist Jaggi Johal from jail |work=Indianarrative |date=3 November 2022 |url=https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/khalistanis-in-us-uk-canada-plan-protests-to-seek-release-of-klf-activist-jaggi-johal-from-jail-67677.html}}</ref>
* Maqbool Bhat — Kashmiri separatist and convicted terrorist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shukla |first=Srijan |date=2020-02-11 |title=Maqbool Bhat, Kashmir's first radical separatist, hanged by Indira after diplomat's killing |url=https://theprint.in/past-forward/maqbool-bhat-kashmirs-first-radical-separatist-hanged-by-indira-after-diplomats-killing/363201/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Saquib Nachan, Indian terrorist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Diwakar |date=2025-06-26 |title=2003 Mulund blast: Terror convict Saquib Nachan suffers stroke in Tihar jail |url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/terror-convict-saquib-nachan-suffers-stroke-in-tihar-jail-23578629 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Mid-Day |language=en}}</ref>
* Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh — security guards, hanged for the assassination of Indira Gandhi<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1989-01-06 |title=2 Sikhs Hanged in Slaying of Indira Gandhi |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-06-mn-257-story.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Umar Khalid<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title=Who is Umar Khalid and why has he been behind bars for four years? |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/who-is-umar-khalid-and-why-has-he-been-behind-bars-for-four-years/3611360/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Financial Express |language=en}}</ref>
===Sports person===
* Milkha Singh — former Indian sprinter, for travelling in a train without ticket.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/athletics/when-his-sister-thought-milkha-was-shot/article4870333.ece|title=When his sister thought Milkha was shot|last=Lokapally|first=Vijay|date=1 July 2013|work=The Hindu|access-date=1 May 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* Sushil Kumar — Indian wrestler, arrested in connection with the murder of a 23-year-old wrestler at Chhatrasal Stadium<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-14 |title=Olympian Sushil Kumar, main accused in junior wrestler's murder case, surrenders |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/olympic-medalist-sushil-kumar-accused-of-junior-wrestlers-murder-surrenders-2420577-2023-08-14 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
===Others===
* Abhijit Banerjee — Indian born American Nobel laureate. While studying at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he was arrested and imprisoned in Tihar Jail for protesting against JNU's vice-chancellor<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-14 |title=When Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee spent 10 days in Tihar jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nobel-laureate-abhijit-banerjee-tihar-jail-jnu-protest-1609360-2019-10-14 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Pheroze L. |date=15 October 2019 |title=Banerjee's JNU arrest and 12 days in Tihar jail |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/banerjee-s-jnu-arrest-and-12-days-in-tihar-jail/cid/1711818 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225104748/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/banerjee-s-jnu-arrest-and-12-days-in-tihar-jail/cid/1711818 |archive-date=2024-12-25 |access-date=2025-07-07 |work=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref>
* Anna Hazare - Indian social activists fighting against corruption, were imprisoned in Tihar for protesting conflicts between differing Civil Society and UPA Government anti-corruption bills, known as the Jan Lokpal Bill and the Lokpal Bill, respectively
* Subrata Roy — founder of Sahara India Pariwar<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Subrata-Roy-pays-Rs-1-23-crore-for-special-facilities-in-Tihar-jail/articleshow/50070082.cms|title=Subrata Roy pays Rs 1.23 crore for special facilities in Tihar jail|work=The Times of India|date=7 December 2015 }}</ref>
* Sudhir Chaudhary — Indian journalist sent to 14-day judicial custody but was later released on bail in extortion case<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2012 |title=Zee News editors sent to Tihar jail |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/zee-news-editors-sent-to-tihar-jail/story-YhQqQk8V9HgADnCLtt5K0H.html |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
==Issues==
===HIV===
The prison complex has no facilities for keeping paraplegic pre-trial inmates or convicts.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tihar-says-no-facility-for-paraplegic-murder-accused-gets-bail/973310/| title= Tihar says no facility for paraplegic, murder accused gets bail| date= 12 July 2012|work=The Indian Express |url-access=subscription |first1=Aneesha |last1=Mathur |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926194819/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/tihar-says-no-facility-for-paraplegic-murder-accused-gets-bail/ |archive-date= 26 September 2022 }}</ref> The Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre reports that around 6% to 8% of the 11,800 Tihar inmates are HIV-positive, which is considerably higher than the HIV rate among the general population in India.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106074350/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-30/delhi/29599215_1_positive-prisoners-tihar-jail-jail-authorities |archive-date=6 November 2012 |first1=Neeraj |last1=Chauhan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/340-HIV-positive-prisoners-in-Tihar/articleshow/8650866.cms |title=340 HIV positive prisoners in Tihar |website=The Times of India |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=31 May 2012}}</ref>
===Overcrowding ===
{{As of|2023|12}}, Tihar jail has 14,059 inmates against the sanctioned capacity of 5,200. The prison population as of 31 December 2023 has increased by double in comparison to the population as of 31 December 2018.<ref name=dept>{{cite web | title = Department of Tihar Prisons | url = http://tte.delhigovt.nic.in/wps/wcm/connect/lib_centraljail/Central+Jail/Home/Prisoner+Profile |publisher=Government of Delhi| access-date = 22 December 2020 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/inside-delhi-s-tihar-jail-gang-violence-overcrowding-and-security-gaps-threaten-law-and-order-101683053714685.html ''25 crime lords, 160 gangs: Why Delhi jails are a security nightmare''].Hindustan times (December 2023).</ref>
==In popular culture==
* ''Black Warrant'', non-fiction book about prisoners in the jail
* ''Black Warrant'' (2025) Netflix Series is based on the story Sunil Gupta, a Tihar jailer, and included notable events such as the execution of Ranga Billa and Maqbool Bhat.
* ''Doing Time, Doing Vipassana'' (1997) documentary about the introduction of S. N. Goenka's 10-day Vipassana classes at Tihar Jail in 1993 by then Inspector General of Prisons in New Delhi, Kiran Bedi. Bedi had her guards trained in Vipassana first, and then she had Goenka give his initial class to 1,000 prisoners.<ref>{{cite web | title = Prisoners Finding New Hope in the Art of Spiritual Bliss | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/08/movies/08doin.html |url-access=subscription | access-date = 8 January 2014 | first = Stephen | last = Holden |author-link=Stephen Holden| date = 8 July 2005| work = The New York Times}}</ref>
* ''Jailer'' (2023), Rajinikanth is shown as Tihar Jailer "Tiger" Muthuvel "Muthu" Pandian in this film.
== See also ==
* Crime in India * National Crime Records Bureau
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://tiharprisons.nic.in/ Tihar Prisons Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222104436/http://tiharprisons.nic.in/ |date=22 December 2013 }} * [http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/Lib_CentralJail_Hindi/central+jail/home/ Tihar Prisons Official Website] {{in lang|hi}} * [http://tiharprisons.delhi.gov.in/ Official website of Central Jail] Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi
Category:Prisons in Delhi Category:Government buildings in Delhi Category:1957 establishments in Delhi Category:Law enforcement in Delhi Category:Prisons completed in the 1950s