Ruchika Girhotra case crusader late Anand Parkash’s family and civil society activists jointly wrote to the deputy commissioner on Sunday, seeking an apology from the district administration for the presence of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore on the main dias during the official Republic Day function observed on Friday.
“We have no problem Rathore attending public functions but inviting him on the stage and giving him due prominence on the front row is unacceptable to us,” said Aradhana Gupta, daughter of Anand Parkash and Madhu Parkash who fought for getting justice for Ruchika Girhotra, Aradhana’s friend, who was molested by Rathore in 1990.
Rathore was convicted in 2009 and awarded six-month jail time that was later enhanced to 18 months. The Supreme Court had upheld Rathore’s conviction in the molestation case, but restricted the punishment to six months already served by him considering his age.
‘28 years of fight seem futile’
Aradhana said their 28-year-long fight for justice for Ruchika has been forfeited by the administration’s shameless act to give Rathore public acknowledgement through the function.
She said people look up to those who sit on the dias as they command respect and inspire society. “What kind of example has been set by giving a teen molester the prominence of front row and that too on such an important day?” she asked.
Will shame claims of govt: Activists
The letter to the DC, written on behalf of Anand Parkash Samriti Sabha, tells the DC that if the administration doesn’t apologise, they will launch a city-wide signature campaign, where they will lay bare the double-sided talks of the government.
{{/usCountry}}The letter to the DC, written on behalf of Anand Parkash Samriti Sabha, tells the DC that if the administration doesn’t apologise, they will launch a city-wide signature campaign, where they will lay bare the double-sided talks of the government.
{{/usCountry}}Admn keeps mum
Officiating DC Mukul Kumar, who was heading the administration’s Republic Day function, said he was looking into the matter. However, a senior official, who was part of the organising team, said Rathore was invited considering his retired state DGP status. “A similar invitation was sent to him on Independence Day function as well but he did not turn up then. He had come this time, but I had no idea how he occupied space in the front row,” he said.
Meanwhile, a local activist Shalini Malviya said whether Rathore was deliberately or mistakenly given prominence, it exposed how the administration had least regard for important events like Republic Day.