Molester ex-top cop Rathore to lose his medal

New Delhi: Former Haryana director general of police SPS Rathore will be stripped off his police medal.

The decision to take back Rathore's police medal, given to the police officer for meritorious service in August, 1985, was taken by a committee of Union Home Ministry officials in New Delhi on Monday.

The issue of Rathore's police medal was taken up by the Medal's Committee of the Home Ministry headed by Union Home Secretary GK Pillai.

The recommendation to take back Rathore's medal has been sent to President Pratibha Patil.

Ruchika's friend Aradhna Prakash Gupta who has been fighting the case for the past 19 years was elated at the Centre decision.

"Certainly I'm happy. For the first time a harsh punishment has been given after 19 years long battle. The decision has given me a relief. The punishment to ex-DGP SPS Rathore is just a start of the battle. I'm looking for it," said Aradhna.

"This is definitely a milestone for our case. I hope after this no police officer will try and molest a minor girl. Other officers will take a lesson from this. We are more than satisfied by this commendable action of the Central Government" — Ruchika's friend's father, Anand Prakash to CNN-IBN

"This action is appreciable. This will be a good example for all other IPS officers. Hopefully, they can become better human beings. It's a deterrent" — Ruchika's friend, Aradhna Prakash to CNN-IBN

"Media support and public support are commendable and I'm thankful to all of them. The system need to be awakened. Finally after 19 years the truth has come today. The concerned authorities need to understand the situation and announcement of justices should not be delayed. Everyone, who was involved in Ruchika molestation case must be punished. Moreover, school authorities are also to be punished," she added.

Rathore has been convicted for molesting Ruchika Girhotra and sentenced to six months in jail. The former Haryana DGP has also been fined a meagre Rs 1,000 in the molestation case.

Ruchika tragically committed suicide in 1993 with her family and friends alleging that Rathore used his influence to get the budding tennis player expelled from Sacred Hearth Senior Secondary School where she was a student.

She was expelled just a month after Rathore molested her.

Her brother Ashu was slapped with several false cases accusing him of being involved in thefts and was allegedly tortured by Haryana Police officials in the presence of Rathore.

Meanwhile, action being considered against Ruchika's school too. The Chandigarh administration will submit its inquiry report to the Governor and CBSE on Monday evening.

The report categorically blames the school for expelling Ruchika under pressure and blames Rathore for the same.

Authorities could also take action against the principal of the The Sacred Heart school for Ruchika's unwarranted expulsion.