Arrest Rathore immediately, says Ruchika's father

Panchkula (Haryana), Jan 5 (IANS) Teenaged molestation victim Ruchika's father Tuesday demanded that former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore be immediately arrested as he was a "criminal" roaming freely in the society.

S.C.Girhotra said he wondered that even after registering non-bailable cases, like abetment to suicide, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement and criminal conspiracy against Rathore, why were the Haryana police still shying from arresting him.

"Rathore is a criminal; he is a menace for the society. Then why are the Haryana police not arresting him... he should be immediately put behind bars," Girhotra told reporters here Tuesday.

He said that he and his son Ashu are now hopeful that Ruchika case will reach a logical end in the wake of immense support that they are getting from various sections of the society.

"We are very sure that now Rathore can't get away from a strict punishment as we have ample evidence against him. Earlier, we did not get any chance to place the evidence before the court but now we would utilise this chance to optimum level," Girhotra said.

He denied there were any contradictions in the statements that they gave before court and police.

"The post-mortem (examination) report was prepared by police and it was doctored to favour Rathore. At that time, we had to sign wherever they told us as it was just a deal to take the dead body."

"They ruined our family, we lost our house and Rathore spoiled my son's career. He was a bright student and wanted to sit for IAS exams but his dream never materialised," said Girhotra, adding Ashu was so frightened that he did not dare to come out in public life for years.

Now when he had seen so much of support around us, he managed to step out, he added.

Lashing out at Rathore, Girhotra said: "We felt very bad on the way Rathore behaved after his conviction. This man is not repenting. He was not remorseful, as he was smiling while coming out of the court."

"Our union home minister is dealing with this case very seriously. He is the best home minister of our country. If he was the home minister during early 90s, Ruchika might not have committed suicide," said Girhotra.

He said he had full faith that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would deal with the fresh cases against Rathore. The Haryana police Tuesday recommended that the three fresh cases registered against Rathore be transferred to the CBI for further investigation.

Rathore, a former Haryana police chief, was held guilty by a special CBI court here Dec 21 of molesting the 15-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town Aug 12, 1990, and sentenced to a six-month prison term. He was, however, immediately granted bail.

The budding tennis player committed suicide three years after the incident.