Click to play videoThe former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore convicted for molesting teenager Ruchika is finding it tough to defend himself. His case for anticipatory bail has been reserved and two fresh FIRs have been filed.
The Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has said that the Government would support the PIL seeking death sentence for retired police officer.
CNN-IBN spoke to SC Girhotra father of Ruchika Girhotra and the Law Ministrer Veerappa Moily.
CNN-IBN: You have had an audience with the Home Minister a short while ago? What is the kind of assurance you have received from him in this case?
SC Girhotra: Yes ... he gave us a very patient hearing ... he was sympathetic to my case. We have explained everything to him ... my advocate was with me ... all the legal aspects of the case were explained to him. In fact, he was already aware of all the legal aspects of the case.
CNN-IBN: There is a fresh momentum in this case, two new FIRs, decision on anticipatory bail being reserved. Do you see this as the wheels of justice finally moving in a more definite manner or you believe till the more grievous charge of demand of abetment to suicide is put...there can be no real movement?
SC Girhotra: Yes, we will pursue the case under the charge 306 .. .abetment to suicide, that’s the main thing. He needs to be charged. He has committed the crime of abetment to suicide.
CNN-IBN: In his application, Mr Rathore has blamed the media hype for the fresh FIRs but also alleged the complainants like yourself are using fake documents against him.
SC Girhotra: No ... he can speak anything he likes ... we have placed our entire case before the Home Ministry ... that’s all.
CNN-IBN: We have also been able to speak to Ruchika's school authorities. They are alleging that she wasn't expelled but the family just simply took her away after the incident.
SC Girhotra: No. no, how can I? She was studying in the school since pre nursery ... how can I just take her away ... the school did not even give us a show cause notice ... one fine day they just told me to take her away ... So .. I asked her not to go ... that’s all.
CNN-IBN: How would you react to many who are saying all this is a trial by media...and its because of this sustained pressure that all these FIRs are being filed?
SC Girhotra: No no ... how is it a media trial? ... He led my daughter to commit suicide ... he tortured my son. Media has just brought the thing to the notice of the public ... it is media's job.
CNN-IBN: Mr Moily, you have had a chance to hear the father. Do you believe there is a strong case against Mr Rathore...19 years hence, can you add an abetment to suicide charge?
Veerappa Moily: I have made a study, and in fact, I had talked to Solicitor General of India. I have also talked to the director CBI, I think there is a strong case against him. This case is based on FIR of 1991 when she was alive, when he molested her. I think she died in 1993. That fact has seriously not been taken into consideration. There are enough circumstances where after 1990, she was harassed, put out from school. Then her brother was handcuffed and taken to police station. Lot of other harassments have been done, which ultimately led to suicide.
CNN-IBN: Mr Moily there is already a PIL that has been filed against Mr Rathore that asks for a stricter penalty based on the more grievous charge of abetment to suicide, how does the Government see it? Do you support it?
Veerappa Moily: No, if necessary we will support it. It is so simple as that but it has to be properly done. There is no point to proceed on case just on emotions but hard task has to be done in proper investigation, it should be properly done.
CNN-IBN: So is your ministry going to help the family in challenging the six month prison sentence he got?
Veerappa Moily:There is a good case to challenge that. Definitely the punishment can be sought for. Law ministry will give all support to see that proper justice is done.
CNN-IBN: His plea of anticipatory bail has been reserved...but there are concerns from the family lawyer that in these two new FIRs that have been filed he could influence the outcome of investigation if he was not arrested?
Veerappa Moily: This is a matter of detail and I don’t want to get into that, one thing I can say is that all the might of Law Ministry will be used to ensure that this is showcased as a case where any person, high or low will not be spared under the rule of law. Rule of law is one and the same for everybody and from the records it is seen that abusing the office that too being in a high office, is a very serious matter and it needs to be dealt seriously.
CNN-IBN: Mr Moily you are suggesting action but it’s been nineteen years and the government could have done so much, just bring about an amendment to enhance the punishment in this case.
Veerappa Moily: That’s the matter which has come to light now and these are all the matters with state government because the law and order is the subject of the state government and if it comes to the notice of CBI or CBI takes over, that’s another matter. After the Ruchika case came, I instructed my Law Ministry to work out a bill that is called sexual offences special courts bill. That bill is already ready now, today I m sending it to the Home Ministry to look into that and if that bill comes, we can dispose off these cases particularly on sexual offences within 6 months or at the most 1 year, it will not definitely take 19 years.
CNN-IBN: What about the Malli Devi case?
Veerappa Moily: Definitely, I will talk to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and ensure that it is properly done, afterall he is our CM, we will talk to him.
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