New Delhi, May 3
Supreme Court today cleared the telecast of a serial based on former Haryana Chief Minister OP Chautala’s conviction for his role in the 1999-2000 teachers recruitment scam, but said the television channel should clarify that the serial had nothing to do with the case or any real-life character.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir delivered the verdict on a petition filed by Chautala contending that the serial was politically motivated to malign him and his Indian National Dal (INLD) ahead of the Assembly elections next year.

On January 22, a CBI court in Delhi sentenced Chautala, his son Ajay, and seven others to 10 years in jail for their role in the scam in the recruitment of 3,032 junior basic trained (JBT) teachers in 1999-2000 when Chautala was Chief Minister. Chautala has challenged the verdict in the Delhi High Court and has also sought his release on bail from Tihar Jail here on health grounds.