JIND (TIP): Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, out on bail on health grounds, met his supporters, days after he and the CBI were put under notice by the Delhi high court on a plea seeking directions to the politician to surrender. Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief went to residences of his supporters in Jind besides visiting the party’s election office.

INLD is fighting a 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,” said a party spokesman.

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.

Ucahana in the Jat heartland from where his grandson and country’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 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 the period. While issuing notice to CBI and Chautala, the court had questioned, “Why has CBI not taken note of all this (election campaign)? CBI does not seem to be aggrieved by this.” The court also questioned the maintainability of the application. The petition had also contended that Chautala is “misusing the orders of the court and taking the court for a jolly ride, thereby abusing the process of law”.

According to the petition, Chautala, who has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years jail term in a teachers’ recruitment scam case, was granted bail on medical grounds on May 21, 2013 and since then he has been out by extending it on the same ground.