Court to decide on Rathore’s appeal Tuesday

CHANDIGARH - A court here Tuesday is likely to pronounce its verdict on an appeal filed by former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore challenging his conviction for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court had held Rathore guilty in December last year for molesting 15-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town in August 1990. She committed suicide three years later.

Rathore was sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment and was fined Rs.1000. He was, however, immediately granted bail.

The probe agency’s plea for enhancement of Rathore’s sentence is also pending before the same court. Its decision will also be pronounced Tuesday. The CBI had opposed Rathore’s challenging plea and had sought an enhancement of his sentence from six months to the maximum of two years.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh had earlier heard the arguments of both sides on a day-to-day basis.

“We want exemplary punishment for Rathore so that this case would deter other officials from indulging in such crimes. We have full belief in the Indian judiciary. Our case is very strong. We have submitted all the required evidence before the court and we are confident that Rathore will get maximum jail term,” Anand Parkash, main complainant in this case, told IANS Tuesday.

Parkash’s daughter Aradhana, who has migrated to Australia, was the only eyewitness in the case.