In the disproportionate assets case where the former Haryana CM minister and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala has been recently convicted, the Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi, after hearing both the prosecution as well as the defence kept the verdict “reserved” on Thursday. The court will now be pronouncing the quantum of punishment to Chautala on Friday.
Chautala has asked for little leniency citing his old age and health.He has also requested the court to take in consideration the term he has already served in the JBT teachers recruitment scam and also the fact about completing his class 10th and 12th education from the Tihar jail.
CBI, has been asking the court to decide quantum of punishment on the crime committed and show no leniency while awarding punishment. The prosecution further said that easing the punishment will send across a “wrong message” and the strictest possible punishment should be awarded to the convict.
Due to the old age Chautala reached the court in a wheelchair. He was represented by the his counsel Harsh Kumar Sharma who apprised the court that Chautala has become 90 percent disabled physically and has been suffering from a lung ailment.
Chautala’s counsel apprised the court that the leader cannot move much and needs an attendant to even move around. The counsel also said that a lenient view should be considered. The court has asked Chautala to produce his physical-disability certificate.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), that was probing this matter said that , they had filed a chargesheet against Chautala on March 26, 2010.
The agency says that between 1993 and 2006, the seven-time MLA had collected assets worth over Rs 6.09 crore, and more as his known source of income.The Chautala family continues to slam the case by saying it to be “political vendetta”.