Unitech owners living in luxury in the Tihar jail
What's the story
The Chandra brothers, owner-directors of real estate firm Unitech, seem to be enjoying a relatively luxurious life inside the Tihar jail. Through special deliveries, the brothers, who have been imprisoned since April last year, seem to have got their hands on a mini fridge, imported chocolates, perfumes, and many more things. An inquiry committee is currently looking into how the items were sneaked in.
Items seized
Imported chocolates, perfumes, a mini fridge found in brothers' possession
On Wednesday, a senior jail officer found six cellphones, imported chocolates, perfumes, and 73 packets of ready-to-eat food inside a Toyota Innova at the Tihar jail's parking lot. It was found that the driver worked for Ajay and Sanjay Chandra. Following the discovery, officials inspected the brothers' makeshift office in the jail, and found a mini fridge, chocolates, perfumes, computers, mobile phones etc.
SC decision
The Supreme Court had permitted the use of some items
The brothers were imprisoned for allegedly duping over 500 homebuyers in a proposed housing project in Gurgaon. In October, however, the Supreme Court had allowed the brothers to set up a makeshift office to negotiate the sale of properties to pay off investors, and to arrange for the Rs. 750cr bail deposit. The apex court had permitted the use of cellphones/tablets, computers, and internet.
Inquiry committee
There's a possibility of an inside job
Given the Supreme Court's directive, the discovery of luxury items came as a surprise to jail officials. The inquiry committee set up to investigate the discovery, will also look into the role of jail officials in sneaking items in as it wasn't possible for a driver to sneak them inside. The brothers, however, denied all charges of getting items sneaked in.
Legal defence
Chandra brothers' lawyer denies all allegations
The Chandra brothers' legal counsel, advocate Vishal Gosain, said that the items found in the Innova didn't belong to the brothers but was kept in the car for clients who came to meet the brothers. Additionally, he also denied the presence of the items in the makeshift office, saying that the brothers only used items authorized by the Supreme Court.