JOIN USDelhi court awards 4-year jail term to O P Chautala in DA case
A Delhi court sentenced former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala to four years in jail along with a fine of Rs 50 lakh, ordering the confiscation of four of his properties in a case related to possession of disproportionate assets of Rs 2.81 crore.
Special CBI court judge Vikas Dhull rejected Chautala's plea for leniency, saying in sentencing the convict, a strong message should be sent to potential offenders that in case they acquire assets abusing their official positions, then not only they will be punished heavily but even their properties so acquired shall be liable for confiscation.
The judge also pointed out the galloping rise in cases where misuse of official positions is done by public servants to acquire assets is a factor that weighs in the mind of this court against taking a lenient view.
"After getting elected as MLA /Chief Minister of Haryana between the period from 1993 till 2005, the convict had taken the oath to faithfully and conscientiously discharge his duties for the State and the people. Instead of working honestly in the public interest, he had in fact worked to promote his self interest i.e. by acquiring assets for himself by abusing his official positions to the tune of 103 per cent of his known source of income and the value of disproportionate assets so acquired is Rs 2.81 crore," it said.
The court took into account factors like Chautala was 87-year-old, suffered 60 per cent disability, besides various ailments, although none of them are serious and life-threatening, to award four years jail to him.
It rejected the CBI's contention to award a maximum sentence of seven years against him for offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The court was also informed that Chautala is facing trial in another case of money laundering and has already served 10 years in jail for abusing his position as the Chief Minister of Haryana in the recruitment of Junior Basic Teachers.
It ordered for taking into custody of Chautala while directing that the period of custody undergone during the investigation and trial can be set off against him and not the term which he served in another case. His counsel said an appeal would be filed against the decision.
The court had on May 21 convicted Chautala, seven-time MLA in the case filed by the CBI in 2005.