Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau, after considering the nature of allegations levelled by Christopher James, who is lodged in the jail for a cheating offence, yesterday summoned the deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent and chakkar chief of the Tihar jail.

In his complaint filed on February 2, James had alleged that the top officials and some jail convicts were involved in a criminal conspiracy of extortion of money coupons (issued to inmates as wages for labour put inside the jail) and were using these for smuggling of drugs and tobacco in jail.

When he raised these issues with the officials, he was beaten up and was deprived medical attention for two days, James had further complained.

The court, taking on record his MLC, had said that the allegations were serious in nature and directed the complaint to be pursued in accordance with the law.

It had also sought a report on the matter from the Director General (Prison) and directed him to take steps to ensure James was not put to further harassment in jail.

51-year-old James, a resident of Nehru Nagar in Patna, Bihar, has been serving a three-year term in a cheating case since February, 2005.

Those asked to appear in person are -- deputy superintendent K C Meena, assistant superintendent Dhananjay Rawat and chakkar chief Mange Ram.