Sunday, September 18 2005 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognizance of news reports that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav was getting 'special favours' from officials of Tihar Jail here, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to Delhi Chief Secretary, Director General (Prisons) and Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs in the matter.

A Division Bench of Justice Manmohan Sarin and Justice Manju Goel asked the officials to respond to the notice by September 21, the next date of hearing.

The Bench was perturbed over separate news items in two leading English dailies published from the capital about Tihar inmate Pappu Yadav getting special favours and a recreational event turning into a 'sleaze party'.

While the authorities had already ordered an inquiry into the 'sleaze party', no action has been taken against Yadav.

According to the report titled 'For Pappu's fans, all roads lead to Tihar', the controversial RJD MP was given special favours in respect of extension of visiting hours and other facilities of 'Mulaqaat' and certain other things.

It had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of a sting operation by a TV news channel showing Tihar Jail officials taking bribe for showing favours to prisoners.

"The acts of the officials showing undue favour to prisoners affected adversely the due administration of criminal justice," the court had observed on May six.

It had asked Director General (Prisons), Delhi Chief Secretary and Secretary, Department of Justice, MHA to file affidavits detailing the improvements needed to streamline the functioning and administration of Tihar Jail.