New Delhi:
On her 16th death anniversary, Ruchika Girhotra's family and friends have won a major battle. Two fresh police cases have been filed against the senior police officer who molested her in 1990 when she was 14. Ruchika killed herself in 1993 when she was 18. (
Read: Senior cop molested teen who killed herself)
That news came after the Law Minister told NDTV that he would like to charge the cop who molested teenager Ruchika Girhotra with abetment of a minor's suicide. If SPS Rathore does indeed face those charges, and is found guilty, he could face the death penalty.
"Things like harassment which she and her brother faced, the expulsion by her school led to Ruchika's death. In fact the right case is under Article 305 - Abetment of Suicide of Child. I was told that if she had died below the age of 18, the punishment is death or life. This is one angle of the case. One thing is to appeal or a higher punishment under the section 355 of IPC. Meanwhile, National Women Commission can move to the Supreme Court. We are all looking into this," said Veerappa Moily, Law Minister, to NDTV. (
Read: Ruchika case: Law Minister wants tougher charges)
Rathore retired as Haryana's senior-most policeman in 2002. He was sentenced earlier this month to six months in prison for molesting Ruchika. Rathore was granted bail immediately, and announced that he would appeal against the verdict.
The two new cases accuse Rathore of fabricating documents related to Ruchika's death and of using his position to frame her brother, Ashu, of theft. Ashu was arrested in 1993. Unable to cope with the persecution of her family, Ruchika drank poison. Her brother was released from prison immediately after her death, and acquitted of all charges.
Ruchika Girhotra's story has evoked national passion and debate. A middle class family and its friends were persecuted by a ruthless and powerful opponent, one who used his police position to influence the investigation against him. Four successive chief ministers kept promoting a cop who had been indicted by a police inquiry within days of his molesting a young girl.
Even when an exhaustive crusade by Ruchika's friends and family won a CBI inquiry into the case, the charges against Rathore were relatively minor - molestation. A series of legal experts and judges who have been involved with the case have said there is enough evidence to provoke tougher charges against Rathore.
CBI sources say they are in touch with the Law Minister to see if they can ask for enhanced charges and punishment. (
Read: Justice for Ruchika: How you can help)