SPS Rathore seeks parole

Former Haryana top cop SPS Rathore, convicted of molesting budding tennis player Ruchika Girhotra, has sought parole, sources said today.

Rathore, who is lodged in Burail jail here after he was awarded an 18-month prison term on May 25, has sought a 10-day parole on grounds that he had to get some work done on his agricultural land in Panchkula, the sources said in Chandigarh.

However, IG Prison HS Doon, who is also an IPS cadre officer from Haryana, on being contacted denied any such development concerning Rathore.

The sources said Rathore's parole application has been pending with Panchkula deputy commissioner Asima Garg.

Repeated attempts to contact Garg on the issue proved futile.

After Rathore's conviction by a local court,  his wife-cum-lawyer Abha had on May 26 filed a revision petition in the high court.

The arguments from CBI, Ruchika's lawyer and Abha on the revision petition had already been concluded early this month and the high court reserved its order on the application moved by Rathore's wife.

14-year-old Ruchika was molested by Rathore, the then Haryana Lawn Tennis Association president, in August 1990. Three years later Ruchika committed suicide.

Meanwhile, Anand Parkash, husband of Madhu Parkash who is complainant in the case had objected the Rathore's move and pleaded that he should not be granted parole so early.