Ex-Haryana cop SPS Rathore's conviction for molesting Ruchika Girhotra confirmed by Supreme Court
Highlights
- Ruchika Girhotra was molested by ex Haryana top cop SPS Rathore in 1990
- The 13-year-old committed suicide three years later
- Mr Rathore was convicted in 2010; he has spent six months in jail
Former Haryana police chief SPS Rathore, held guilty of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra and accused of driving her to suicide, will not go back to jail, the Supreme Court said today, citing "old age" as a reason.
Mr Rathore, 74, will be a free man but with the stain of conviction. The court confirmed his guilty verdict.
While reducing his jail term, the court said: "Keeping in view the factors of old age and physical condition of the petitioner accused we don't think it is expedient to put him back in jail."
The former Director General of Police spent around six months in jail after being convicted in 2010 of molesting 13-year-old Ruchika, an upcoming tennis player in Panchkula near Chandigarh in 1990. Mr Rathore was famously seen smiling after his conviction.
The high court extended his jail term to 18 months, which he challenged in the Supreme Court.
Ruchika and her family were allegedly harassed and persecuted after she complained to the police. She was expelled from school and her brother was charged with theft in what was seen as intimidation tactics by Mr Rathore and his force.
The teenager committed suicide by taking poison in 1993.
Friends who have supported the family through the case say the punishment should have been tougher.
"We respect the verdict. I would have been more satisfied if he had served the entire 18 month jail term. Six months in jail was not enough for the despicable crime," said Madhu Prakash, a family friend.