Ambala, Apr 18: The defence counsel today cross-examined the first prosecution witness, Anand Prakash, in the Ruchika molestation case against former Haryana DGP S P S Rathore in the court of special magistrate for CBI cases Surya Pratap Singh here. Prakash is the husband of Madhu Prakash, the complainant in the case. The cross-examination could not be completed today and the case was adjourned for May 24. During the cross-examination Anand Prakash stated he had handed over the documents of this case to DIG, CBI, on January 12, 2000. He said that Rathore started harassing those who had signed the complaint filed against him in the Panchkula police station after the alleged molestation of a tennis player Ruchika in 1990. Anand said that by using official influence Rathore managed to file a number of charge sheets against him and also filed a defamation suit against him. Later in the departmental inquiry the charges were found baseless, Anand added. He said that two civil suits were also filed against him in a court in Chandigarh. The counsel for Rathore asked Anand whether he had ever used his name as A P Singhla while doing his engineering degree at Chandigarh or for getting a job, Anand said that it was not correct.

Bureau Report