CBI takes over Ruchika probe, re-registers cases against Rathore

NEW DELHI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday took over the probe against former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, for abetting her suicide and harassing her family members, including her brother who was framed for theft.

The agency has re-registered the cases against Rathore in the Special Crime Zone of the agency here.

“We have re-registered three cases relating to Ruchika Girhotra today (Monday) after the central government gave its consent under section 5 of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE) on the request from Haryana government,” a CBI spokesman said here.

According to CBI, cases were registered against Rathore, the then Panchkula superintendent of police K.P. Singh, the then sub inspector Prem Dutt and two then assistant sub-inspectors Jai Narayan and Sewa Singh under various sections of Indian Penal Code including abetment to suicide, attempt to murder and wrongful confinement.

These three cases were earlier registered at the Sector 5 police station in Haryana’s Panchkula.

The Superintendent of police, special crime unit-1 of CBI has been appointed as the chief investigating officer in all the three cases.

“He will be assisted by a team of legal experts and investigating officers. We appeal to all persons in the know of the facts and circumstances of these cases and to those who are willing to give evidence in the court that they should contact the chief investigating officer,” the spokesman added.

Rathore was booked by the Panchkula police Dec 29 in two different cases, charging him with attempt to murder, forging and tampering with evidence, criminal conspiracy and wrongful confinement. Most of the charges slapped against him in both First Information Reports (FIRs) are non-bailable ones.

The complaints for the two FIRs were made by Ruchika’s father S.C. Girhotra and brother Ashu. In the third case Jan 5, Rathore was booked for abetment to suicide.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990 and committed suicide three years later. The molestation case was then handed over to CBI.

Nineteen years after the molestation incident, Rathore was convicted by a CBI special court in Chandigarh Dec 21 and sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000.

The light conviction led to uproar in different sections of society, forcing authorities to re-visit the case and seek justice for the molestation victim. This is the second time the CBI would be probing the matter.