Teen molester Rathore will get pension
10 Aug 2012 8:52 AM IST
Shambhu Pratap Singh Rathore, who retired as Haryana's most-senior policeman, is entitled to his pension for now, according to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Rathore was convicted in 2010 of molesting a teen girl, Ruchika Girhotra, in Panchkula near Chandigarh in 1990.
Three years later, she committed suicide, allegedly because after she filed a police complaint against him, Rathore persecuted her family relentlessly.
Rathore has appealed against his conviction in the Supreme Court. Till a verdict is delivered there, the High Court said On Thursday, Rathore cannot be stopped from collecting his pension, which had been stopped by the central government after his conviction.
Largely because of Rathore's powerful position - he was Director General of the Haryana Police - the case against him made no progress - he was convicted 20 years after Girhotra had filed a complaint.
Rathore was sentenced first to six months in prison - the smile on his face as he left court incensed the public and legal experts. His sentence was later increased to 18 months in prison in May 2010 by a local court in Chandigarh. But he was granted bail by the Supreme Court after five months.
Earlier this year, he made the headlines again when he bought a Mercedes for 30 lakhs as a gift for his wife, Abha, who defended him in court during his trial. He then spent another nine lakhs to get a VIP license plate for the new car.
In June, the CBI closed two other cases filed against Rathore by Ms Girhotra's family - the agency said there was no evidence to prove that her brother was arrested and tortured in custody on Rathore's orders, or that the policeman had doctored her post-mortem results. Girhotra's father said he was too tired to continue a legal battle against Rathore.
THE RUCHIKA CASE
Rathore was convicted in 2010 of molesting a teen girl, Ruchika Girhotra, in Panchkula near Chandigarh in 1990.
Three years later, she committed suicide, allegedly because after she filed a police complaint against him, Rathore persecuted her family relentlessly.
Rathore has appealed against his conviction in the Supreme Court. Till a verdict is delivered there, the High Court said On Thursday, Rathore cannot be stopped from collecting his pension, which had been stopped by the central government after his conviction.
Largely because of Rathore's powerful position - he was Director General of the Haryana Police - the case against him made no progress - he was convicted 20 years after Girhotra had filed a complaint.
Rathore was sentenced first to six months in prison - the smile on his face as he left court incensed the public and legal experts. His sentence was later increased to 18 months in prison in May 2010 by a local court in Chandigarh. But he was granted bail by the Supreme Court after five months.
Earlier this year, he made the headlines again when he bought a Mercedes for 30 lakhs as a gift for his wife, Abha, who defended him in court during his trial. He then spent another nine lakhs to get a VIP license plate for the new car.
In June, the CBI closed two other cases filed against Rathore by Ms Girhotra's family - the agency said there was no evidence to prove that her brother was arrested and tortured in custody on Rathore's orders, or that the policeman had doctored her post-mortem results. Girhotra's father said he was too tired to continue a legal battle against Rathore.
THE RUCHIKA CASE
- On 11 August, 1990, SPS Rathore visits Ruchika Girhotra’s house and meets her father.
- As Haryana Lawn Tennis Association head, promises special training for Ruchika.
- On 12 August, molests her in office.
- Ruchika and her friend Aradhana report matter to parents the day after.
- On 3 September 1990, inquiry submitted to Home Secretary.
- On 20 September 1990, two weeks after inquiry indicts Rathore, Ruchika gets expelled.
- Ruchika’s expulsion later used by Rathore’s lawyers to question her character.
- False cases are filed against Ruchika’s father and brother Ashu. Other harassments follow.
- On 28 December 1993, Ruchika consumes poison.
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