Justice Jitendra Chauhan observed that Rathore’s conduct was an extremely “shameful” for a person who is supposed to protect the law. 'Instead of acting as a guardian of society, he donned the role of a criminal,' he said.
Disgraced former Haryana director general of police SPS Rathore will have to serve one-and-a-half years in jail and sweat it out too. The Punjab and Haryana high court upheld on Wednesday the 68-year-old’s conviction and sentence for molesting teenage tennis player Ruchika Girhotra two decades ago.
Justice Jitendra Chauhan observed that Rathore’s conduct was an extremely “shameful” for a person who is supposed to protect the law. “Instead of acting as a guardian of society, he donned the role of a criminal,” he said.
The verdict has come at a time when Rathore’s request for parole is pending with the Haryana government. He had sought leave last week for a month to oversee agriculture works in his fields.
In a 104-page order pronounced in the presence of Rathore’s counsel-wife Abha, CBI lawyers and relatives and friends of Ruchika, the high court recalled how the 14-year-old was tortured and committed suicide three years after she was molested at Panchkula on August 12, 1990.
The court also dismissed Rathore’s plea for release from prison on probation. The judge observed, “There were certain mitigating factors for taking a lenient view for his [Rathore’s] release on probation, such as old age, heart ailment, protracted trial, ailment of his daughter and his unmarried daughters, and there are certain aggravating factors as well such as his official position.”
Rathore was sent to jail in May after the Chandigarh district and sessions court held him guilty and enhanced his imprisonment to one-and-a-half years from six months. His lawyer-wife filed a review petition on his behalf in the high court on May 26.
Rathore is likely to challenge the HC verdict in the Supreme Court.
Hailing the verdict, Aradhana, Ruchika’s close friend and the only eyewitness in the case, said: “Justice has prevailed. It has really strengthened the people’s confidence in the judiciary. We have to take a stand...
give harsh punishment for such acts, so that women feel safe in the country.”
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