Chandigarh: The senior police officer who
filed a fact finding report in Ruchika molestation case had
strained relations with SPS Rathore unlike what the CBI had
contended, the former Haryana DGP's counsel claimed before a
court here today.
"Then Haryana DGP RR Singh had strained relations with
Rathore," lawyer Abha Rathore told the Punjab and Haryana High
Court while trying to pick holes in CBI contention that the
two enjoyed cordial relations.
She also refuted the charge that a mob had demonstrated
in front of the residence of RR Singh at the behest of Rathore
on August 26, 1990.
"If it was the case then he could have straight away
called up Rathore (the then IG) on telephone and get things
clarified," she said.
Ruchika, a budding tennis player, had committed suicide
three years after she was molested by Rathore on August 12,
1990. On May 25 this year, a local court awarded 18-month
prison term to Rathore but he filed a revision petition before
the High Court challenging his conviction.
"On one hand, RR Singh had pointed out in his report that
Rathore had threatened him and on the other he had admitted he
enjoyed cordial relations with him," Abha said.
She claimed that RR Singh did not examine witnesses like
ball picker Paltoo, Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA)
former manager Kuldeep Singh and former coach T Thomas before
filing his fact finding report.
She also contended that the HLTA office where the alleged
incident took place had transparent glass window and not
glazed window as was pointed by the CBI.
"RR Singh did not examine the site and certain
witnesses," she argued, adding that Singh indicted Rathore in
his report whereas prior to August 12, 1990 he admitted he had
no complaint against Rathore.
On not challenging the report, she said "We were given
the inquiry report only in 1991 and the prosecution agency did
not submit it to the trial court."
"The entire case was hijacked by big people...certain
senior police officers were jealous of Rathore as he was a
honest man."
The counsel further argued that the CBI should have
questioned Rathore during trial as to why only Ruchika was
suspended from HLTA on grounds of indiscipline and not her
friend Aradhana.
Abha also made reference to a letter purportedly written
by Rathore to the CBI claiming then police officers RR Singh,
RN Singh and Harbhajan Ram were prejudiced to him as they all
belonged to Punjab.
The judge adjourned the case till Monday. P
PTI
First Published: Thursday, August 05, 2010, 19:30