HC rejects Chautala's plea for extending bail

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala's plea for extension of interim bail on medical grounds was today dismissed by the Delhi High Court, which said "he doesn't require further hospitalisation."

78-year-old Chautala has been directed to surrender before Tihar Jail authorities on September 17.

Referring to a report filed by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) medical board, set up on the court's order, Justice Siddharth Mridul declined to extend Chautala's interim bail.

"In my view, no further hospitalisation is required. I don't see any ground for extension of his interim bail. Accordingly, the application is dismissed.

"However, at the submission of petitioner's counsel, 10 days time is granted to surrender before jail authorities... The applicant is directed to surrender on September 17 before the jail authorities," Justice Mridul said.

The court referred to the medical board opinion in which it was said that, "Chautala does not need admission for his co-morbid condition (medical condition existing simultaneously but independently with another condition in a patient) and only requires a regular medical attention and follow up in the out-patient department".

The report also said these co-morbid conditions were present prior to his current hospitalisation for pacemaker implantation.

As per the report, Chautala has been undergoing rehabilitation and physiotherapy which are to be continued without hospitalisation. Presently, hospitalisation is not required, as such, the report also said.

Senior advocate U U Lalit, appearing for the INLD leader, argued that for the past three months he has not moved out of the hospital due to medical reasons and he needs constant medical care.

Chautala, his son Ajay Chautala and 53 others are serving varying jail terms in the Junior Basic Trained (JBT) teachers' recruitment scam.