Om Prakash Chautala’s political journey has also been marked by controversy. In 2013, he was convicted in the JBT Teacher Recruitment Scam and sentenced to a 10-year prison term. While the conviction damaged his reputation, it did not weaken his grip on Haryana politics, as the INLD remained a formidable force under his leadership. O.P. Chautala has held the position of Haryana’s Chief Minister five times, with tenures ranging from as short as five days to a full term of five years, including a five-month stint during his initial tenure. Additionally, he has been elected as an MLA seven times. His sons, Ajay and Abhay Chautala, have also been embroiled in their own controversies.

What is the JBT Teacher Recruitment Scam

In January 2013, a special CBI court sentenced former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala, his son Ajay Singh Chautala, and three other officials, including the case’s whistle-blower, to 10 years in prison for unlawfully appointing over 3,000 teachers during 1999-2000. Evidence confirmed that junior basic trained (JBT) teachers were recruited using forged documents. It was alleged that the appointments were made based on bribes, nepotism, and favouritism rather than merit.

Disproportionate assets case

Chautala faced multiple allegations in a disproportionate assets case, which culminated in his conviction by a CBI court in May 2022. He was sentenced to four years in prison and fined ₹50 lakh.

On April 3, 2006, a case was filed against Om Prakash Chautala and others, accusing him of accumulating assets—both movable and immovable—that were disproportionate to his known sources of income. The allegations stated that, while serving as Chief Minister of Haryana from July 24, 1999, to March 5, 2005, he conspired with his family members and others to amass these assets in his name as well as in the names of his relatives and associates.

Following the investigation, a chargesheet was filed against Om Prakash Chautala on March 26, 2010. The case revealed that his disproportionate assets amounted to approximately Rs 6,09,79,026, which was 189.11% of his total income from 1993 to 2006. The prosecution presented about 257 witnesses in the case. Chautala’s sons, Abhay Singh and Ajay Singh Chautala, are also implicated but are undergoing separate trials.

Even before entering active politics, Chautala faced controversy when his father, former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal, disowned him in 1977 after he was allegedly caught at Delhi airport attempting to smuggle wristwatches worth ₹1,00,000.

As Chief Minister in 1990, Chautala was accused of shielding senior police officer S.P.S. Rathore in the Ruchika Girotra molestation case—a claim made by Ruchika’s father after the girl later died by suicide.

The same year, the Meham assembly seat in Haryana gained national attention due to widespread violence, as Chautala was allegedly involved in manipulating the election in his favor. The polls for the seat were postponed three times.

Chautala’s sons, Ajay and Abhay Chautala, have also been embroiled in controversies.

Abhay Chautala recently made headlines after being controversially elected as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Indian Boxing Federation (IBF). His election resulted in India’s suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with Indian boxers being temporarily banned from participating in international events.

Also Read: Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away At 89