Chandigarh:
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, the family of Ruchika Girhotra says it is worried about its safety as it takes on the police officer who molested 14-year-old Ruchika.
Kavita Girhotra is married to Ruchika's brother, Ashu. The family is reeling from Monday's verdict that sentenced SPS Rathore, who retired as Haryana's most senior police officer, to six months in prison for molesting Ruchika in 1990. Three years later, Ruchika killed herself, unable to cope with the relentless harassment of her family by a vengeful Rathore.
(Read: Senior cop molested teen who killed herself)Kavita Girhotra says her family needs police security to defend itself from a man who has powerful political connections "He can do anything," she fears. "What justice have we got in the last 19 years?" she asks. She says the family needs to be compensated for what she describes as "its loss of honour." Ashu, Ruchika's brother, was framed in theft cases by the Haryana police, and was acquitted after her death. His wife now says that record affected his career.
(Read: Rathore's smile frightens Ruchika's family)
The Girhotra family left Chandigarh after Ruchika's death.
There has been gigantic public outrage over the six-month sentence for Rathore, seen by most, as a travesty of justice. Rathore is on bail. In the 19 years since he molested Ruchika, he has not spent a second in prison.
(Read: Shock, anger over teen molestor's sentence)NDTV reported on Monday that even though Rathore's boss had recommended that a police case be filed against him in 1990, Rathore was protected by the government. The CBI took over the case in 2000 after a tireless crusade by Ruchika's childhood friend, Aradhana Parkash and her father.
(Read: Government protected Rathore?)