Games VIPs play in Tihar jail

New Delhi: The Tihar Jail is possibly the most famous high security jail in the country. Home to over 13,000 prisoners, the jail authorities always ensure that the convicts' skills are utilised to the full extent.

The activities include carpentry, weaving and even baking but that’s the story of ordinary prisoners.

Tihar is also home to the big fish, people who were VIPs and VVIPs in the outside world. So what do they do to pass time?

"You see, some of these high profile prisoners have come very recently, so we are yet to allot any work of their choice. So they can do what they want," says Director General, Tihar Jail, B K Gupta.

For example, Pappu Yadav apparently loves company. Lodged in jail number 3, he had distributed sweets when Rahul Mahajan got bail earlier this year.

He even desperately wanted Shibu Soren to be lodged in his jail. He's also quite a cricket lover and will be playing a friendly match inside Tihar on December 27.

And guess who will be the umpire in that game? None other than former Union Minister Shibu Soren. Lodged in jail number 2, Guruji is still medically unfit. But that hasn’t stopped him from volunteering to decide the fate of the all players in the cricket match.

Another star in jail number 2 is Manu Sharma. He doesn’t socialise much and spends most his time playing badminton. It’s believed Manu will be working in the jail's stationary department soon.

That’s likely to come in handy since he has also started writing a book.

Last but not the least, Vikas Yadav, lodged in jail number 4, is doing time for his involvement in the Jessica Lall murder case. He is also waiting for the verdict in the Nitish Katara case but that doesn’t stop him from enjoying a game of volleyball.

They might be VIPs outside but inside these high security prison walls, the authorities claim they are like any other ordinary prisoner, doing time and hopefully regretting their actions.

But with so much to do, life inside the Tihar may seem pretty attractive to some people running from the law.

Even now with our political leaders setting an example for all criminals, Tihar will soon be needing some extra space.

(With inputs from Shiv Pujan Jha)