CBI goes after Rathore, seeks stiffer punishment

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said it will seek from court enhanced punishment to former Haryana police chief SPS Rathore, who was given six months in jail after being convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra.

"It was felt that six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 is far from adequate, specially when the court in its judgment concluded that the offence has been proved up to hilt. After consulting the ministry of home affairs and the law ministry, it has been decided to file an appeal in the competent court for enhancement of sentence to Rathore," CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal said.

The maximum sentence provided for molestation is two years' imprisonment and a fine.

Rathore was sentenced by a CBI court on December 21 to six months in jail for molesting 15-year-old Ruchika 19 years ago on August 12, 1990. A fine of Rs 1,000 was also imposed on him. The former police officer was, however, immediately granted bail.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player, committed suicide three years after the incident due to harassment of her family by Rathore to make her withdraw the complaint against him.

About charges of abatement to suicide against Rathore, the CBI spokesman said legal experts were examining the issue to suggest further course of action. "The advice of the Solicitor General of India will also be taken before finalising the view of the CBI on this issue," he said.

The Haryana police on Tuesday registered two fresh First Information Reports (FIRs) against Rathore, including for attempt to murder and wrongful confinement, in the Ruchika case.

The FIRs were also filed against other police officials.

Rathore was charged with serious crimes like attempt to murder (Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code), criminal intimidation (506), wrongful confinement (340) and criminal conspiracy (120-B).

Rathore has also been charged with fabricating evidence (195), preparing false evidence (191), preparing incorrect documents (167), public servant disobeying law (166), wrongful confinement to extort confession (348), using assault or criminal force in order to wrongfully confine person (357) and other sections of the IPC.