Disciplinary action against principal who expelled Ruchika Girhotra

The CBSE has ordered disciplinary action against then principal and staff of a Chandigarh school which expelled Ruchika Girhotra soon after she complained of molestation by ex-Haryana DGP SS Rathore nearly two decades ago, holding them guilty of violating rules.

The school board has asked the management of Sacred Heart School to initiate proceedings against then principal sister S Sebestina and other school staff for expelling the 14-year-old for non-payment of fees without intimating her parents about it, sources in the CBSE said.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player who was molested by Rathore in 1990, committed suicide three years later. She was in Class IX when she was expelled.

The sources said the order was issued after an expert committee found that the school had violated "affiliation bylaws" in expelling her without informing her parents about Ruchika failure to pay the fees.

The action could range from censure, suspension, dismissal or compulsory retirement from service.

A sessions court had on May 25 this year increased Rathore's jail term from six months to one-and-half years while allowing CBI and Ruchika's family's appeal for enhancement of the punishment.

On September 1, the high court dismissed Rathore's appeal against his conviction and sentencing, ruling that his conduct as a top official was "shameful".

Sixty-eight-year-old Rathore was released on bail last month, after spending nearly six months in jail for molesting Ruchika.