CBI finds no proof, will let Rathore walk

The Central Bureau of Investigation is set to absolve former Haryana Director General of Police SPS Rathore (67), of the charge of having abetted Chandigarh teenager Ruchika Girhotra’s suicide, reports Manish Tiwari.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is set to absolve former Haryana Director General of Police SPS Rathore (67), of the charge of having abetted Chandigarh teenager Ruchika Girhotra’s suicide.

After four months of investigations, it has concluded there is no evidence to charge Rathore in any of the fresh cases filed against him.

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Rathore was convicted by a Chandigarh court last December and sentenced to six months imprisonment for having molested 15-year-old Ruchika in 1990. She committed suicide three years later.

Nor has the CBI found any proof to back the other two recent cases against Rathore — that he implicated Ruchika’s brother Ashu in false cases to pressure the family to withdraw the molestation charge against him, or that he interfered with Ruchika’s post mortem.

Most allegations by Ruchika’s family could not be substantiated during investigations, said CBI sources. Some were found to be completely false.

“The CBI will file investigation reports in the cases as soon as the process is complete,” said CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal.

With this, the only case Rathore still faces is the original one relating to the molestation. A Chandigarh sessions court is currently re-examining it to see whether he deserves a longer sentence. The verdict is expected on May 20.