Chandigarh:
For 12 years, SPS Rathore seemed unstoppable. He worked his way up from Inspector General of Police in Haryana to retire as Director General - the highest post for a police officer in the state. Now, the same politicians who helped Rathore to the top are moving equally fast to distance themselves from a man found guilty of molesting a teenager.
Rathore's crime is not a revelation. In 1990, he was found guilty by a police inquiry of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Girhotra. That had no impact on his career. Four successive chief ministers did nothing to punish him, or even to investigate the record of a man in charge of security and law and order in Haryana.
(Read: Different chief ministers rewarded teen molester cop)On Friday morning, Om Prakash Chautala held a press conference to say he did not shield Rathore from facing action for his crime. Yet, Chautala, in 1991, did not register any opposition, or case against the Inspector General. Chautala now passes the Rathore buck to the men who replaced him as chief ministers, Bhajan Lal and Bansi Lal.
(Read & Watch: Chautala on Ruchika case: Not my problem) Chautala was succeeded as chief minister by Bhajan Lal. It was during Bhajan Lal's term that Rathore was promoted to Additional Director General. But on Friday, Bhajan Lal was defended by his son, Kuldeep Bishnoi, who says Chautala's father, Devi Lal, was Rathore's main patron.
(Read: Will teen-molester cop lose medal, pension?)In 1996, Bansi Lal became Chief Minister with the help of the BJP. He promoted Rathore to Director General.
In 1999, Chautala returned to power and Rathore was put in charge of the police in the entire state. In 2000, the CBI, which was investigating the case, filed a chargesheet against Rathore. At this point, Chautala asked Rathore to go on leave. However, Rathore was not suspended. In 2002, Rathore retired.