Tihar jail, which houses more than 12,000 inmates including several high-profile ones, witnessed 18 deaths in 2012, including two suicides, a senior official today said.
"There have been 18 deaths in Tihar jail in 2012 out of which 16 were natural while two were cases of suicide," said Vimla Mehra, Director General (Prisons).
She said that magisterial inquiries are conducted into every death which takes place inside the jail premises.
"The inquiry reports are yet to come into the two cases of suicide," said Mehra.
Mehra said that there is zero tolerance in Tihar jail as far as corruption is concerned and strict actions have been initiated against anybody found indulging in such activities.
"A total of 35 personnel have been prosecuted for various charges of corruption and indiscipline this year. Out of the total cases, 25 are being prosecuted for major offenses while the rest are being prosecuted for minor cases," Mehra added.
Considered India's largest and most secure prison, Tihar has a three-layered security system.
Surveillance and external security is with the personnel of ITBP and CRPF followed by Tamil Nadu Special Police which man various gates and frisk visitors.
Jail operations are taken care off by personnel of Delhi Prisons.
