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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 23
Haryana Vidhan Sabha Deputy Secretary has defended the release of pension to convicted ex-MLAs, including former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala and his son Ajay Singh Chautala. He has also defended the release of pension to Sher Singh Badshami, and Satbir Singh Kadian despite conviction under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Responding to three petitions filed separately in public interest by advocate H.C. Arora, the Deputy Secretary filed a written statement. He stated that the term of Haryana Vidhan Sabha had expired prior to the dismissal of the appeal by Chautalas by the Delhi High Court in March, 2015.
Likewise, the tenure of other two ex-MLAs had also expired prior to the dismissal of their appeals. The defence taken on behalf of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Secretariat was that once the convicted MLAs became ex-MLAs prior to the dismissal of their appeal, they cannot be disqualified.
Arota had earlier filed the petitions for stoppage of pensions following conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Arora contended the respondent ex-MLAs were convicted under the provisions Prevention of Corruption Act, and were sentenced to imprisonment ranging between seven and 10 years.
They, therefore, stood disqualified under the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act, from the date of their conviction for period of their sentence plus six years in addition from the future date of their release. As such, Chautalas and Barshami were not entitled to draw pension as ex-MLAs for 16 years, while Kadian could not draw pension up to August 26, 2029.
The High Court had, on a previous date of hearing, asked the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Secretary to take the call on Chautalas’ entitlement to pension as ex-MLAs despite their conviction.
Referring to information received by him, the petitioner had earlier claimed Chautalas had received around Rs 95 lakh pension after their conviction in a graft case. While Om Prakash Chautala was paid Rs 2, 15, 430 per month, Ajay Singh was paid Rs 50, 100 per month
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