Brinda Demands Reopening of Ruchika Case, Inquiry into Shielding of Rathore

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that the entire Ruchika molestation case should be revisited.

“After examining (the case) legally, I think it should be revisited. It needs revisitation on the whole issue. I am fully sympathising with the family (of Ruchika),” Hooda told reporters in New Delhi.

Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, convicted in the case, has been served a light six-month term for molesting 14-year-old Ruchika in 1990.

Chief Minister’s statement about reopening of the case came after CPM politburo member Brinda Karat met him in the capital and demanded an independent investigation into the alleged political patronage Rathore enjoyed after being indicted in the case.

Hood said that he had already directed the DGP of the state to provide ‘full security’ to the family.

“Whatever steps Haryana government has to take after legal consultations, we will take,” he said, pointing out that Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has given an assurance that he would examine the case again.

After meeting Hooda, Karat, however, told media persons that the chief minister was ‘non-committal’ on the demand for an investigation into the alleged political shielding of the former DGP by successive governments.

Karat, accompanied by friends of Ruchika’s family, also sought Hooda’s ‘pro-active role’ in bringing pressure on CBI to reopen the case against Rathore and to get his bail cancelled in the case.

Karat said that she had also urged Hooda to initiate action to deny Rathore pensionary benefits and dismiss police officers and government officials, who filed false theft cases against Ruchika’s brother Ashu.