Ruchika case: No relief for SPS Rathore

Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, who was sentenced to one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment on Tuesday, failed to get immediate relief on Wednesday.

His wife and counsel Abha had filed a revision petition as well as a suspension of sentence petition in the Punjab and Haryana HC. While admitting the revision petition, the high court issued a notice to CBI. Justice Gurdev Singh listed the case for hearing on Friday. Though Abha urged the court to hear the matter urgently, Rathore’s chances of getting out of jail in the near future looks bleak as the judges would proceed on a summer vacation from May 29.

Rathore was jailed on Tuesday after a sessions court enhanced his prison term to 18 months for molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Girhotra in 1990.

But for his age, health problems and a dependent unmarried daughter who is suffering from a congenital heart disease, Rathore could have got a two-year jail term.

That is the maximum sentence given in molestation cases. While limiting the imprisonment period, additional district and sessions judge Gurbir Singh had categorically denied that he came under media influence.

Rathore has been allotted number 251 in prison. In barrack number 10, he is confined with other convicted policemen. Jail authorities said he was not provided any special facility. The ex-DGP had to sleep without a mattress.