Haryana DGP's 'supporters' launch campaign

By Rajesh Ahuja

AMBALA, NOV. 29. Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) pleaded forcefully today before the designated Special Magistrate for CBI cases in Haryana, Mr. A .K. Tyagi, for condonation of delay in filing a chargesheet against the Director-General of Haryana Police, Mr. S.P.S. Rathore, in the ``sensational'' Ruchika molestation case, another drama was taking place outside the courtroom as his ``supporters'' - calling themselves ``Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha'' - distributed statements and documents in his defence.

It may be recalled that 14-year-old Ruchika, a tennis player, was allegedly molested by Rathore in August 1990 when he was Inspector-General and the then president of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association. Ruchika, a resident of Panchkula, committed suicide three years later in December 1993.

The complainant in the decade-old case, Mrs. Madhu Parkash, who is the mother of one of Ruchika's friends on whose Public Interest Litigation the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the CBI to investigate the case, said outside the Court that she and her husband, Mr. Anand Prakash, would continue their legal fight to ensure that Rathore was also charged under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Rathore himself was not present today as he has been allowed exemption from personal appearance till the court pronounces its order on the CBI's application for condonation of delay.

A statement `signed' by the president of the Panchkula unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha virtually defended Rathore and alleged that he was a `victim' of media `hype'. The statement said it was erroneous and mischievous to project Ruchika's family as a `victim' of harassment.

`Removal if court orders'

PTI adds: Meanwhile the Chief Minister, Mr.Om Prakash Chautala, said in Sadhaura today that the DGP would be removed if the court directed.

``I will follow the directions of the court and will not even take one minute to remove him if it so directs,'' Mr. Chautala told reporters here.

Meanwhile, two women organisations today staged a protest march in Chandigarh demanding the immediate sacking of Rathore.

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Section  : Other States
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