Division bench of Delhi HC extends Om Prakash Chautala's parole till March 9

The 86-year-old Chautala had filed the petition before Delhi High Court through his counsel Amit Sahni, submitting that he has undergone almost the entire period of his incarceration and as such, in view of the earlier order passed in December 2019 by the Division Bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Sangita Dhinga Sehgal, the Delhi Government has not granted special remission to the convict/petitioner.

New Delhi: In great relief, the Division Bench of Delhi High Court hearing the petition of former Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala for his early release from jail on Tuesday extended the period of parole till March 9.

A bench headed by Justice Siddharth Mridul was hearing the case related to Chautala who has been imprisoned in the case of illegal recruitment of 3,206 junior basic teachers (JBT) in 2000.

Earlier, the Bench of Justice Yogesh Khanna had extended the date of his surrender from February 21 to February 23.

The 86-year-old Chautala had filed the petition before Delhi High Court through his counsel Amit Sahni, submitting that he has undergone almost the entire period of his incarceration and as such, in view of the earlier order passed in December 2019 by the Division Bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Sangita Dhinga Sehgal, the Delhi Government has not granted special remission to the convict/petitioner.

Chautala has pleaded for premature release citing old-age and poor health and has also cited a notification from the central government which calls for the release of male prisoners above 60 years of age.

Chautala has said that under the special pardon notification of the Central Government, the release of male prisoners above 60 years of age, women above 55 years and transgender prisoners who have completed half of their sentence is present. It has been said in the notification that more than 70 per cent of the divyang who have completed half of their sentence can also be released.

Appearing for the former CM, advocate Sahni submitted that his client is 83-year-old and that almost the entire sentence of his has been completed. He is not being given the benefit of special remission in view of notification, despite directions of this Court. He added that Chautala is entitled to an early release.

Chautala along with his son Ajay Chautala and three other convicts were convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment in the case of illegal recruitment of 3,206 junior basic teachers (JBT) in 200.

(With ANI inputs)