Chautala's parole: L-G yet to take decision

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is yet to take a decision on the file related to the parole of former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, said Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to LG Ajay Chaudhary on Saturday.

Chaudhary said the LG office had received the file of parole from the Delhi Home Department on Wednesday, and it would be considered on merit.

As per law, the LG is the competent authority for taking final decision on granting or rejecting the parole applications.

On the accusation of putting pressure on Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain by the LG, Chaudhary said there was no question of putting pressure on the Delhi Government on the parole issue.

He said Jain had come to the LG Office with files of AAP leaders for withdrawal of cases pending against them and sought clearance by hand.

The OSD said, during the meeting, Jung asked Jain to follow the office procedure.

During the meeting, the LG also wanted to know about the status of parole of Chautala which is pending with Home Department.

He said LG had only suggested to the Home Minister that the file of parole should be processed on merit without any political consideration.

He said Jain has "distorted the facts" and "used the occasion to politicise the issue" at his unsuccessful attempt to push through withdrawal of cases against AAP leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has accused the LG Office of selectively omitting crucial facts about the parole application of Chautala and the pressure exerted on the Delhi government for helping him.

On the allegation of the LG office about withdrawal of cases against AAP leaders, the Delhi Government in a press release said compoundable cases against political leaders and workers are withdrawn only on the recommendation of four member committee headed by the Principal Home Secretary.

The Committee recommends that the cases are fit for withdrawal and the final decision is taken by the judiciary.

The release also said the city government is actively considering a proposal to decentralise the entire process.

Under the proposal, a committee will be formed under each of the eleven revenue districts.

It will be chaired by District Magistrate, DCP, Chief Prosecutor, while SDM, headquarters, will be the members of the Committee .