A middle-rung Haryana Civil Service officer, SK Setia, stood like a rock by Anand and Madhu Prakash, who fought for justice to Ruchika.
When every arm of the system — politics, judiciary, bureaucracy — seemed to be going in favour of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, a middle-rung Haryana Civil Service officer, SK Setia, stood like a rock by Anand and Madhu Prakash, who fought for justice to Ruchika.
Setia had a personal reason to do so. In his younger days, he could not take up the cause of a young bride in his neighbourhood who was burnt to death by her in-laws.
“He was not related to us and was a senior bureaucrat, but he has been extending financial and moral support since 2004. When everybody of his stature chose to be indifferent, he believed in our cause and continued to be there for us,” Anand said.
Realising that the Prakash couple needed financial assistance to engage lawyers, Setia involved his colleagues. Single-handedly but quietly, he ran a campaign to mobilise opinion against Rathore.
“I cut the newspaper report and circulated it among my staff, asking what we could do about it. We collected money and sent it to their [Prakashs’] house in Panchkula. I later got a call from him [Anand] and our association began,” Setia, who also ensured that the Prakashs were not harassed, said.
Today, when they have achieved something, he wishes to take the crusade further.
Setia said his association with the cause was probably an outcome of an incident during college life. “When I was in college, there was an incident of bride-burning in our locality. Everybody suspected foul play, but nobody — not even the girl’s parents — complained to police.
I wanted to lodge a complaint, but my parents stopped me. Since then, the feeling of guilt has remained. When I came to the estate office and read a story about Anand Prakash in the papers, that feeling of helplessness resurfaced and I knew I had to be with them,” he said.
Asked if he expected Rathore to unleash his wrath on him as he did in the case of all others who stood by Ruchika, Setia said, “Not really. Because I kept a low profile and did a quiet service to the Prakashs.”
He said it always bothered him how the Prakashs would manage the legal costs. “In fact, the Prakashs taught me that just because we are not victims, we cannot be silent spectators. When I saw Anand’s confident face last Diwali, I felt I had repaid a debt. I plan to initiate a forum to encourage girls to stand up against such acts and help them in all possible ways.”
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