CBI to file appeal for enhancing Rathore's punishment

Country's top investigative agency CBI today decided to file an appeal for enhancement of jail term for Ruchika molestation case convict S P S Rathore, who is former Haryana Police Chief. The agency spokesperson said, the possibility of charging the accused with abetment of suicide is being considered.

Amid growing public pressure on Ruchika molestation case, CBI on Thursday decided to file an appeal for enhancement of jail term of convicted former Haryana Police chief S P S Rathore and said it was examining the possibility of charging the accused with abetment of suicide.

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"It is felt that six months imprisonment and fine of Rs 1,000 is far inadequate specially when the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh, in his judgement concluded that the offence has been proved to the hilt," CBI spokesman Harsh Bahal said in New Delhi.

He said the CBI had consultations with Home and Law Ministries after which it was decided to file an appeal in the
competent court for enhancement of sentence to Rathore under 354 IPC (molestation). The maximum sentence provided in law is two years of imprisonment and a fine.

As far as the applicability of Section 306 of IPC relating to abetment of suicide in the Ruchika case is
concerned, the legal experts of the CBI are examining the issue to suggest further course of action. "The advice of the
Solicitor General of India will also be taken before finalising the view of CBI on this issue," the spokesman said.

The six-month punishment for Rathore saw widespread protests from the civil society and the media following which
the CBI as well as both the Centre and state governments started re-visiting the case.

The Haryana police has already registered two fresh cases against Rathore. He attempted to get an anticipatory bail but
failed to get an immediate relief.