Chautala faces probe for public speech via jail phone

Tihar authorities have ordered an inquiry against jailed Indian National Lok Dal eader Ajay Chautala for allegedly addressing a public rally in Haryana through a telephone call made from the prison, an official said Monday.

Tihar authorities have ordered an inquiry against jailed Indian National Lok Dal leader Ajay Chautala for allegedly addressing a public rally in Haryana through a telephone call made from the prison, an official said Monday.

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"All the inmates are allowed to talk to their family every day for five minutes through phone. Ajay Chautala telephoned his son on Feb 19-20 who called his supporters. Chautala then addressed them through speaker phone," Director General of Prisons Vimla Mehra told IANS.

"An inquiry was set up Saturday. We are looking at every angle. The report might be submitted by today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday)," said Mehra.

"Suitable action will be taken if the allegation against Chautala is found true," added Mehra.

Another jail official said Chautala addressed a rally in Sonipat district Feb 20 for five minutes when his son Dushyant patched him up through the speaker phone.

Chautala used the occasion to update the crowd about the health of his jailed father and former chief minister of Haryana Om Prakash Chautala and inquired about the well-being of the villagers, the official said.

The father and son are in jail after being indicted by a Delhi court for their involvement in irregular appointment of teachers in 2000.

The trial court last month sentenced both the convicts and eight others to 10 years in jail while one convict was sentenced to five years and 45 others were handed out four-year jail terms.