New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi will pronounce its order on the sentence on Friday against former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala in a disproportionate assets (DA) case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Special Judge Vikas Dhull on Thursday after concluding the arguments of both sides said the order on sentences will be passed tomorrow at 2 pm.
During the argument, OP Chautala physically appeared and remained present in the courtroom. Appearing for OP Chautala, Advocate Harsh Sharma cited medical grounds for less punishment and submitted that I (OP Chautala) have been infected with polio since birth, and I am partially disabled.
Chautala is accused of acquiring disproportionate assets from 1993-to 2006. This time is more than 20 years. In the meantime, he has always cooperated in the investigation, Advocate Sharma argued. CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Gupta opposed the submissions of Chautala’s lawyer for a grant of concession on the ground of ill health and age.
CBI urged the court for maximum punishment shall be given as it would send a message to the society. “The person, in this case, is a public figure, and giving minimum punishment would send a wrong message. He is not having clean antecedents. It is the second case in which he has been convicted,” CBI said.
Special Judge (PC Act) Vikas Dhull last week had convicted Chautala and said the accused had failed to satisfactorily account for such dis-proportionality by proving his source of income or means by way of which, he acquired assets during this period. “Hence, accused Om Prakash Chautala is convicted for the offense under Section 13(1)(e) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Put up 26.05.2022 at 10.00 a.m. for arguments on the point of sentence,” said the court.
According to the CBI’s FIR accused Om Prakash Chautala, while functioning as Chief Minister of Haryana during the period from July 24, 1999, to March 5, 2005, in collusion with his family members and others, accumulated assets, immovable and movable, disproportionate to his known lawful sources of income, in his name, in the names of his family members and others to the extent of Rs.1,467 crores.