New Delhi:
Former Haryana Chief Minister OP Chautala has washed his hands off the Ruchika case. He says that his government did nothing to protect or promote SPS Rathore, the police officer who molested 14-year old Ruchika. The teenager killed herself three years later, tired of relentless persecution by the Haryana police force, of which Rathore was a senior office.
In an interview to NDTV on Thursday, Ruchika's father, Subhash Girhotra, blamed Om Prakash Chautala for protecting Rathore, and for ensuring that no action was taken against him.
(Read: Ruchika's father breaks down)Despite Ruchika's death, Rathore was promoted and went on to retire as the Director General of Police in Haryana. Earlier this week, he was found guilty of molesting Ruchika and was sentenced to six months in prison. He was granted bail immediately. The sentence has shocked India.
(Pics: Teen molester cop enjoys winter sun)Chautala says it was not him, but Bansi Lal who was chief minister when Rathore was promoted. Chautala insists that his government helped to ensure that Rathore was chargesheeted. But experts say given the multiple promotions that Rathore enjoyed, all chief ministers from 1990 to 2002 deserve to share the blame.
(Read: Different chief ministers rewarded teen molester cop)Meanwhile, Ruchika's family lawyer says he will ask the Supreme Court to reopen the case. The lawyer, like Ruchika's family, wants Rathore to be charged with abetment to suicide amounting to murder.
(Read: Will appeal in Supreme Court to reopen Ruchika case: Lawyer)In its inquiry against Rathore, the CBI, who is handling the case, says that Ruchika went into depression after watching her family be harassed by the police for three years. Her brother was framed for theft and put in jail. She was expelled from school.
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