To stop their use as weapons, 2k exhaust fans in Tihar to be replaced with plastic ones

“Over 2,000 exhaust fans, some of which are attached to barracks while some are near the washroom area of the cells, have been removed. Now, they will be replaced with plastic exhaust fans that reduce the possibility of them being used as sharp weapons,” said a senior jail official.

The official added that water coolers — present in cells and barracks and mostly made of steel — have been entirely covered with plastic to curb any exposure to material that inmates can possibly misuse.

Senior officers said removing exhaust fans is limited to Tihar Jail as the ones in Rohini and Mandoli are installed outside and are out of inmates’ reach.

“Inmates take advantage of these fans, which were generally within a reachable height inside Tihar, and break parts of them to chisel over time and sharpen into improvised weapons,” added an officer.

The officer said, “Water coolers made of steel have also been covered entirely so that any part of them cannot be misused. Any other item or appliance with metal or steel parts has also been either covered or removed to prevent any mishap. Fans have been untouched as any inmate trying to break parts of them will be visible to jail staff. But, exhaust fans were installed in small corners and were barely visible.”

The Public Works Department (PWD) is in the process of installing the new exhaust fans and has floated a tender. Officers said the PWD is planning to install LED lights at dark spots inside the prison, mostly in areas between washrooms and barracks.