Politicians sentenced to 10 years in corruption case

NEW DELHI (dpa) – An Indian court Tuesday sentenced a former chief minister of the northern Indian state of Haryana to 10 years jail for corruption, news reports said. Om Prakash Chautala and his son were convicted along with 53 others in a case relating to the irregular appointment of more than 3,000 teachers in government-run schools.

They were charged with forging documents, taking bribes, indulging in nepotism and favouritism when appointing teachers in 1999-2000.

All 55 have been sentenced to terms ranging from four to 10 years. Chautala and his son may be disqualified from contesting the state assembly elections in 2014.

Angry supporters of Chautala clashed with police outside the special court in New Delhi that handed down the verdict, IANS news agency reported.

The protesters threw stones and firecrackers soon after the ruling. Police used batons and teargas to disperse the crowd.

Chautala’s Indian National Lok Dal party is largely confined to Haryana state, which borders the capital.