Submit probe report in Rathore case, court tells CBI

CHANDIGARH - The Punjab and Haryana High Court Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit its report on the three cases registered against former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, already convicted of molesting teen Ruchika Girhotra.

The court issued notice to the CBI and also asked the Haryana government to file a report detailing the promotions given to Rathore.

Rathore, 69, convicted of molesting Ruchika, was released on bail from the high-security Burail jail here Nov 12. He had been in jail since May 25.

On the basis of a PIL (public interest litigation), the court has sought a detailed investigation report in all the three FIRs that were registered against Rathore. The court has also directed us to submit the status report on the progress of our investigation in these cases, Ajay Kaushik, CBI lawyer, told IANS Wednesday.

The court has also asked the Haryana government to submit details about his (Rathore’s) promotions and asked how he managed to reach a senior position despite serious charges levelled against him,” Kaushik said, adding that notice had been issued to the Chandigarh administration to submit a copy of its investigation report about Sacred Heart School from where Ruchika was expelled.

The next date of hearing is slated for Dec 21.

Rathore, who retired as director general of police in Haryana in 2002, molested 14-year-old Ruchika Aug 12, 1990. The teen, who was later expelled from her school at the behest of Rathore, committed suicide in 1993 due to the harassment.

He was sentenced to 18 months rigorous imprisonment by a district and sessions court of Chandigarh May 25 this year. However, the apex court granted him bail Nov 11.

The CBI, having failed to gather any concrete proof against Rathore, had Nov 10 submitted a closure report before a court in Ambala, 45 km from here, pertaining to two FIRs that were registered against Rathore Dec 29 last year.

These two FIRs were registered against Rathore on the complaint by Ruchika’s father and brother. He was booked on non-bailable charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence, custodial torture and criminal conspiracy.

However, the third case on abetment to suicide is still pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A special CBI court in Chandigarh had in December last year held Rathore guilty of molesting Ruchika in Panchkula town Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. However Rathore was immediately released on bail.

Later, on the revision petition of the complainant, Rathores sentence was enhanced to 18 months by a district and sessions court of Chandigarh May 25 this year.