Lesson for corrupt politicos? Chautalas jailed for 10 years

TROUBLE EX-CM of Haryana, son punished for teachers’ job scam

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday sent former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala and his MLA son Ajay Chautala to 10 years in jail in a case of illegal recruitment of teachers — the first time a senior politician has been handed down such a severe punishment for graft.

It is not just the quantum of punishment that comes as a blow to the Chautalas, but also what it means to their political careers.

The sentence virtually marks the end of the road for the 78year-old five-time Haryana CM and his 51-year-old son — per- haps the reason their supporters resorted to stone- pelting and slogan- shouting at the Rohini courts complex on hearing of the sentence.

Haryana is due for polls in 2014 and Tuesday’s sentence rules the two out of the electoral race for 16 years.