Chautala meets supporters in Jind, days after Delhi HC's notice

The former Haryana CM is out on bail on health grounds

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala out on bail on health grounds today mingled with his supporters here, days after he along with CBI was put under notice by a Delhi High Court on a plea seeking directions to the politician to surrender.

79-year-old grand oldman of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) went to residences of his supporters in Jind city besides visiting the party's election office at Urban Estate.

INLD is fighting a do-or-die battle for the October 15 assembly polls in alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after being out of helm of affairs for a decade.

"Chautala arrived here last night. He met party workers and this morning left for Uchana to take a round of the village," a party spokesman told PTI.

Chautala, however, maintained distance from the media.

At the residence of an INLD supporter in the city he had breakfast. His supporters were seen touching his feet and offering him garlands.

Chautala also visited the residence of a BJP leader on Gohana road where two saffron party politicians announced that they are joining the INLD in the presence of him.

Attired in his traditional white kurta-pyjama and supporting a green 'pagri' (head gear), Chautala moved around the city in a white-coloured Mercedes.

Later, he left for Ucahana Kalan in the Jat heartland from where his grandson and party's youngest MP Dushyant is fighting his maiden assembly battle against Congress-turned -BJP leader Birender Singh's wife Prem Lata.

On October 1, the Delhi High Court had sought the response of CBI and Chautala by October 10 on the plea for directions to the politician to immediately surrender.

Justice Siddharth Mridul had issued notice to CBI and Chautala after senior advocate Vivek Tankha appearing for the petitioner lawyer contended that Chautala intends to "misuse the grace period of 17 days given to him to surrender" by planning to campaign during that period.