SC: No rule of law in Rajasthan

The Supreme Court has directed Home Secretary, Rajasthan to appear personally in the court on July 27 to explain why its order to re-arrest a rape accused has not been complied with. A bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and A K Ganguly yesterday severely reprimanded Rajasthan police officials and told the two investigating officers present in the court, ‘You are not fit to wear police uniform.’ Udaipur-based hotelier Prabhat Singh alias Rana, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a British tourist in December 2007, was granted bail by Rajasthan High Court which was subsequently cancelled by the Supreme Court. The State police was directed by the apex court to take the accused in custody as there was an apprehension that he might try to flee the country. On the last date of hearing, the State police was granted a last opportunity to arrest the culprit. The apex court yesterday went to the extent of telling Rajasthan government, ‘There is no rule of law in Rajasthan and this fact must be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister of the State.’ The tourist was sexually assaulted when Rana entered her hotel room to hand over a blanket to her.