Chautala to move court for early release from jail

INLD supremo, serving 10-year sentence in Tihar jail in JBT recruitment scam, to file plea in Delhi high court seeking release under Centre’s special remission policy

CHANDIGARH: Sentenced to 10-year jail in 2013 after being convicted in junior basic training (JBT) teacher recruitment case, former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala will file a petition in the Delhi High court seeking his release under the central government’s policy for grant of special remission to prisoners.

Talking to Hindustan Times T, the former chief minister, who has been out on furlough from Tihar jail for three weeks since February 8, said he is confident that by the time the assembly polls in Haryana are announced, he will be out of the jail. “

I am filing a petition in court to press for special remission of sentence,’’ Chautala said, adding that he is eligible for an early release but the Delhi government is not considering his case.

WHAT’S THE POLICY?

In July 2018, the Union Cabinet approved grant of special remission to certain categories of prisoners as a part of commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The prisoners were to be released in three phases in October 2018, April 2019 and October 2019.

HOW CHAUTALA CAN CLAIM REMISSION?

Legal experts said Chautala qualifies for special remission on two counts — he is above 60 and has completed 50% of his actual sentence period.

The INLD chief has 60% disability though as per the special remission policy, physically challenged convicts with at least 70% disability who have completed 50% of their actual sentence period are eligible for an early release.

“In Chautala’s case disability is progressive. So his case can be considered for special remission under the Centre’s policy ,’’ said a legal expert.

IMPEDIMENTS IN HIS EARLY RELEASE

The special remission policy, however, bars considering persons convicted under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act for an early release.

Chautala was sentenced for seven years under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act and 10 years under various sections of IPC. Both the sentences are running concurrently. However, INLD chief has completed more than six years of sentence under the PC Act. “He has served over six years in jail and the remission earned by him would probably get him close to sevenyear mark,’’ said an expert.