Ruchika molestation case: Rathore may lose his police medal, pension

CHANDIGARH - The Central Government has inquired into the several glitches that were not paid attention to in the Ruchika molestation case, allowing former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore to remain in office despite the charges.

Rathore was charged with allegedly molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, a promising young tennis star in 1990. He was then an Inspector General of Police and the head of Haryana’s Lawn Tennis Federation.

CBI’s Special Magistrate J S Sidhu sentenced 67-year-old Rathore to six months rigorous imprisonment (RI) during an in-camera proceeding and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000, but Rathore got bail immediately.

Teenager Ruchika killed herself three years after the incident by drinking poison.

The Centre is now paying keen attention on the matter. It is also deciding upon whether Rathore should be stripped of his police medal, which he was awarded in 1985.

The government has also reportedly decided to serve a show cause notice inquiring why Rathore should get full pension, despite being convicted by CBI’s special magistrate on the charges of allegedly molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra.

The question that has cropped up now is who recommended Rathore’s name for the police medal and how he managed to get a clean chit in Ruchika molestation case.

The CBI has now decided to file a petition asking for rigorous punishment to be given to the accused former Haryana DGP. (ANI)