Ruchika case a mockery of justice: Amar Singh

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today said the verdict in the Ruchika molestation case has come out as a "mockery of justice" as after 19 years the guilty had been given an "ordinary sentence".

"In this case, even death sentence is mild. An example should be set through this case by giving the strictest sentence... After waiting for 19 years, an ordinary sentence and ordinary fine has been imposed on the culprit. It is a mockery of justice," Singh told reporters here.

People in high places should get a message that they cannot get away by committing such crimes, he said.

Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore was on Monday sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment for molesting 14-year-old Ruchika, a budding tennis player, in 1990 when he was an inspector general of police. The girl committed suicide three years later.

Singh evaded a question on whether the then INLD government led by Om Prakash Chautala had sided with Rathore and allowed the state police to "harass" Ruchika's family.

"I don't want to respond to allegations. Punishment should be rendered to the guilty as this is a heinous crime," the SP leader said.

Asked about a VCD purportedly depicting Andhra Pradesh governor ND Tiwari with some women, Singh said the authenticity of the clipping, telecast by a news channel, should be established before conclusions are drawn as it could be a case of "cyber crime" and "trick photography".