Ruchika case: HC dismisses Rathore's appeal

Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore would have to undergo his 18-month prison term with the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday dismissing his plea challenging the sentence awarded to him for molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Girhotra about 20 years back.

Justice Jatinder Chauhan also dismissed a petition by 68-year-old Rathore, who is undergoing the sentence in high-security Burail Jail here since May 25, seeking release on probation.

The Sessions Court here had enhanced his six-month imprisonment awarded by a trial court in December last year to 18 months in jail on an appeal by CBI and her family. Rathore's escape with a lighter sentence had sparked an outrage.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player, had committed suicide three years after being molested by Rathore on August 12, 1990.

Rathore's lawyer-wife Abha Rathore had filed the review petition on his behalf in the High Court on May 26 seeking bail, a day after he was sentenced and jailed.

Hailing the verdict, Ruchika close friend and only eyewitness in the case, Aradhana, said, "Justice has prevailed.

"I really appreciate the judiciary for taking such a stand.... It has really strengthened the people's confidence in the judiciary once again," said Ardhana, whose parents had fought the case along with the Girhotras.