‘Rathore tried to bribe me’

A Central Bureau of Investigation top officer claimed that former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, convicted by a Chandigarh court for molesting 14-year old Ruchika Girhotra, had tried to influence and even made attempt to bribe him, reports HT Correspondents.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) top officer on Sunday claimed that former Haryana DGP S.P.S. Rathore, convicted by a Chandigarh court for molesting 14-year old Ruchika Girhotra, had tried to influence and even made attempt to bribe him.

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According to former CBI Joint Director RM Singh, who was earlier in-charge of the investigations in the Ruchika case, Rathore tried to influence him when he recommended slapping charges of molestation, abetment of suicide and forgery against him.

“He (Rathore) even stated that he was going to bribe me and offered all help when I was constructing my house,” the former CBI officer alleged. “What happened later, I don’t know because the file had gone to higher officers and Rathore came to know about my recommendations,” PTI quoted him as saying.

Explaining the possible reasons for the dilution of the case, he said final decision rests with the Director who acts after seeking legal advice on any case.

“May be the legal officers did not recommended the charge. I think there were elements to help him also ...,” he said.

Singh claimed he had brought all these developments to the notice of his seniors and alleged that although Rathore tried his best to influence the probe, he was not successful initially.

Singh said, “He tried to influence but as far as I know he could not. He was not successful but in the final recommendations I believe, he was surely successful in influencing the outcome of the case.”

The former CBI officer alleged because Rathore could not do anything, he probably met higher officers accusing him of demanding a bribe.

He also claimed Rathore was following the movement of files. “When the file reached me, he started coming to my office… He started sort of influencing me to get a favourable report and sometimes he used to come to my chamber, my office even before I reached office.”

(with PTI inputs)