Court refuses bail to molestor DGP SPS Rathore

Chandigarh: The district and sessions court in Panchkula on Friday turned down former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore's plea for anticipatory bail in two FIRs registered against him last week.

Of the two cases, one related to tampering with the post-mortem report of teenage tennis player Ruchika Girhotra, whom he had molested in August 12, 1990. The other was Rathore's registration of alleged false cases against Ruchika's brother, Ashu.

Arguing before the court, Abha said the FIRs registered on December 29 were false and that they were filed under "media pressure".

"Rathore is being targeted due to the media hype in the case. The media is describing Rathore as a molester, a monster and an animal. It is pronouncing its own judgment, holding him guilty and it appears that the media has taken over the justice system," Rathore's wife Abha told the court.

"Even the government seems to be buckling under media pressure," Abha alleged and sought protection of her husband.

During the course of arguments, the judge pulled up the public prosecutor after the state sought more time to collect evidence in the case. While the public prosecutor sought three more weeks' time to collect evidence in the two cases, the court rejected Rathore's bail application.

Rathore may still not be taken into custody since the Haryana government has already written to the CBI to take over investigation in the two cases. Besides, a third case has been registered under section 306 IPC against Rathore for abetting Ruchika's suicide. Haryana’s former DGP is expected to approach the Punjab and Haryana high court for relief in the next few days.

On December 21 last, Rathore was given a six-month jail termand a Rs1,000 fine as punishment.