This Article is From Aug 17, 2016

INLD Leader Abhay Chautala Attends Rio Olympics, Court Baffled

INLD Leader Abhay Chautala Attends Rio Olympics, Court Baffled

Abhay Chautala has gone to attend the Rio Olympics from August 2 to 25.

New Delhi: Haryana politician Abhay Chautala's trip to the Rio Olympics has not gone unnoticed by the CBI, which has asked a court to cancel his bail in a corruption case and demand his arrest.

Mr Chautala, the youngest son of former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, is facing trial in a disproportionate assets case.

When his presence at Rio was widely derided and questioned, his supporters sought to remind critics that he used to be the president of the Indian Olympic Association.

That argument does not wash with the CBI, which argued in court that there is "no public interest" in his visit to Brazil to attend the Olympics.

Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Kumar Gupta argued that it is implied that an accused has to ask for the court's permission before going abroad.

Special CBI Judge Sanjay Garg has reserved his order for Monday.

The court had earlier asked the CBI to respond to Mr Chautala's counsel asking for exemption from a court appearance on the ground that he is in Rio for the Olympics.

The court had also wondered how the politician left the country without its permission.

Mr Chautala's lawyer said that he is in Rio from August 2 to 25 as someone who has been a "sports administrator and ex-President of Indian Olympic Association".

He also said the court had set no condition that the accused has to ask for permission to travel abroad.

The CBI filed a case of disproportionate assets against the Chautalas - the former chief minister and his two sons Ajay and Abhay - on a complaint of Congress leader Shamsher Singh Surjewala.
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