India, May 3 -- Calling out the "disturbing and startling facts" that emerged from an inquiry into an alleged extortion racket operating within Tihar Jail in connivance with jail officials, the Delhi high court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary enquiry (PE) into the suspected criminal activities, and asked the Delhi government to launch a thorough probe to identify delinquent officials aiding the racket.

A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order after examining a sealed-cover report submitted by the inspecting judge of Tihar Jail on April 7.

"Very disturbing and startling facts have been revealed, pointing not only to irregularities and illega...