Fresh FIRs filed against cop who molested teen

Panchkula (Haryana): Anand Prakash, who has been fighting a legal battle to get justice for molestation victim Ruchika Girjotra for 19 years, on Tuesday submitted two fresh police complaints seeking registration of a case against disgraced former Haryana director general of police SPS Rathore and other police officers.

Prakash, accompanied by his lawyer, submitted these complaints on behalf of the father of teenaged molestation victim Ruchika, SC Girhotra, and her brother, Ashu Girhotra.

The complaints, which were given to the Panchkula District Police Chief, sought registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Rathore and other police officers for conspiracy in slapping false cases of car theft against Ashu and for interfering with evidence in the early 1990s.

"In Ashu's plea, we have complained about his illegal arrest, inhuman torture and how police pressurised him to force Ruchika to take back her complaint against Rathore. We have mentioned the names of SPS Rathore and four-five other officials in the complaint," the lawyer fighting the molestation case, Pankaj Bhardwaj, told IANS.

"SC Girhotra's complaint is also against the same officials. We have apprised police about how Rathore and his men doctored Ruchika's post-mortem report and inquest proceedings reports. Rathore illegitimately used his power and position to manipulate these reports," he added.

Bhardwaj said that in the inquest proceeding report, the name Ruby was written in place of Ruchika and her father's name was written as SC Khatri to misguide the investigating agency.

"Also in the post-mortem report they cited excessive intake of slimming pills as the reason for death, which is quite illogical," Bhardwaj said.

Panchkula Superintendent of Police, Maneesh Chaudhary said he had received the complaint and that appropriate action would be taken after examining it.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh had on December 21 held Rathore guilty of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town on August 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. Rathore was immediately granted bail.

The budding tennis player had committed suicide three years after the incident.

"We want the police to register FIR against Rathore and other corrupt police officials. We will move court if we do not get justice here," said Prakash.