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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on the plea moved by Former Chief Minister of Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala, challenging a trial court order convicting him to four years' imprisonment in connection with a disproportionate asset case.

The counsel appearing on Chautala's behalf argued that while he has been convicted of four years imprisonment, he has already been in jail for over five years. Moreover, he also contended that Chautala's incarceration is against settled judicial principles laid down by the Supreme Court. 

Chautala was convicted under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on May 27 by Special Judge Vikas Dhull. The trial court while convicting Chautala held that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" and the same was duly applicable in Chautala's case. 

Background

Chautala was taken into custody in May after conviction by the trial court. The CBI registered a case against him in 2006 on allegations that during his time as the Chief Minister of Haryana between August 1999 and March 2005, he had colluded with his family members and others to accumulate assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. 

He had acquired such assets illegally in his name and under the names of his family members. 

The probe agency filed a chargesheet against Chautala in 2010, alleging that the extent of disproportionate assets was over Rupees 6.09 crore, which was allegedly 189.11% of his known sources of income at the time.