JBT scam: Chautala was 'main conspirator', observes court

In a judgement that could have electoral ramifications in Haryana, former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay Chautala were today sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for corruption amidst scenes of violence by his supporters in a Delhi court complex. Unfazed by the violence outside, special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar read out the order of sentencing as Chautala’s supporters thronged the court complex threw stones and clashed with police who resorted to using batons and tear gas to disperse them. [caption id=“attachment_597848” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Om Prakash Chautala. AFP[/caption] Here is what he had to say: * Om Prakash Chautala was the main conspirator The court on 16 January, while convicting all the 55 accused in the case of illegal recruitment of 3,206 junior basic trained teachers, had held Om Prakash Chautala as the “main conspirator”. *Court relied on whistle blowers testimony The court had relied on the testimony of Sanjiv Kumar who initially was a whistle blower, but was subsequently found to be involved in the scam in the probe carried out by the CBI. The court had also accepted that Sanjiv Kumar was a whistle blower in the case because if he had not approached the Supreme Court and had not filed the original award lists there, this scam would have never come into light. It, however, had said that during investigation the CBI found him to be a “comrade in crime”. * Fake awards list The judge mentioned how the accused, chairpersons and members of district level selection committee, had prepared and signed the fake award list upon which the results were declared and thereafter successful candidates were given appointments. “Although, the cabinet decision was taken by the Council of Ministers, but, it must be remembered that it was done with the permission of OP Chautala, who was the Chief Minister at that time despite the fact that the item was not on the agenda,” the court observed. * Role of Ajay Chautala Regarding the role of the then Member of Parliament Ajay Chautala in the scam, the court noted that he was in constant touch with Sanjiv Kumar in 2000 when the fake list of teachers awarded the job was being prepared. * On forced signatures from officials The court agreed with the submissions of defence counsel Amit Kumar that the signatures of his clients, who were members of district level selection committee, were taken on the award lists by “putting pressure, threatening them of depriving them from their pension benefits, transferring them or their wives, children and relatives to far off places, etc”. With inputs from PTI