‘Ample evidence to prove Ruchika was thrown out’

The magisterial inquiry report,according to sources,has “ample evidence” to prove that “Ruchika was thrown out of the school,which tried its best to keep the matter under wraps”.

The report is expected to be submitted to Home-cum-Education Secretary Ram Niwas on Monday,based on which the Administration is likely to take action against the school.

“Action will be taken against the school,if found guilty,” Niwas said. “So far,I haven’t seen the report. I won’t be able to comment till I examine the facts.”

Sources said besides Ruchika,around six students had defaulted on the payment of fees,but they were not expelled. Also,in Class IX,Ruchika’s fee was not deposited for seven months,but she was not expelled. In Class X,non-payment of fee for six months led to her expulsion.

Ruchika was expelled a month after she was molested by Rathore.

The school,on the other hand,still maintained that they never expelled Ruchika,and that after she stopped coming to the school,her name was struck off the rolls.

But the school authorities,according to sources,have failed to answer as to why they did not contact Ruchika’s parents or send any reminder about the non-payment of fees.

“Ruchika was studying in the school from Class I. Why the school did not contact the parents even once to know reasons for non-payment of fee?” a UT official said. “Also,the issue was all over the media in 1990,but surprisingly,everyone in the school we came across while conducting the inquiry said they were unaware of the matter.”

The inquiry report confirms that the school “tried its best to keep the matter under wraps”.

Before questioning principal Sister S Sebastina on Saturday,the inquiry officer had questioned a few teachers of the school.

Among those questioned included chemistry teacher Tejinder Sondhi and arts teacher R B Singh. Both had taught Ruchika since she was a student of Class VI.

“I have told the SDM (Prerna Puri) whatever I knew about the episode and would not like to comment on the matter as of now,” Sondhi told Newsline.

A retired English teacher,Amarjit Toor,who taught Ruchika,said,“The matter was brushed under the carpet. Nobody talked of it in the school. It was only (discussed) among the school principal and teachers concerned.”

Anand Prakash,meanwhile,said,“Non-payment of fee is just an alibi. When the clerk in the school refused to accept the fee from Ruchika’s father,he met the principal who misbehaved with him. The principal told (S C) Girhotra that since Rathore’s daughter Priyanjali was in Ruchika’s class and felt embarrassed in her presence,they cannot allow Ruchika to continue in the school.”

Media rushes to Niwas’ house
On Sunday,mediapersons rushed to the house of Education Secretary Ram Niwas to know about the inquiry report. They left only after they were told that Niwas had not received the report yet.