CBI consulting legal experts in Rathore case

NEW DELHI - After facing criticism for mishandling the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday said it was seeking legal opinion to include charges of abetment to suicide against former Haryana director general of police S.P.S. Rathore.

“The matter is under examination. All aspects, including the one which has been highlighted by the press after the judgment, are being considered by our legal experts. Final view, if any, will be taken after consultation with the ministries of law and home affairs,” CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal told reporters here.

Sources in the CBI said they will seek enhancement of punishment to Rathore after approval from law ministry.

A special CBI court in Chandigarh Dec 21 held Rathore guilty of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. Rathore was immediately granted bail.

The budding tennis player had committed suicide three years after the incident. However, the CBI had not included abetment to suicide in its charge sheet against Rathore.