Haryana Govt dithers over action against DGP

The official line continues to be that “the State Government is yet to receive a copy of the order”. It is learnt that senior officials had already met once to discuss the apex court’s order, but no decision was taken on the fate of the DGP. In fact, there are indications that the Government may allow Rathore to continue. “If the CM wanted to remove him, he would have done so by now” observed a senior officer.

When contacted, Home Department officials said that they were still waiting for the certified copy of the SC order upholding the judgment of the HC regarding a CBI inquiry into the matter. The HC had ordered the inquiry on a writ petition filed by Madhu, mother of a friend of Ruchika, who was allegedly molested by Rathore in 1990.

When Ruchika, a young girl residing in Panchkula, accused Rathore of molesting her, the then CM Hukam Singh had ordered an inquiry into the incident. The matter was probed by the then DGP, R R Singh, who said that prima facie it was a fit case for investigation. But the report was ignored by the Government, saying there was no case to initiate even departmental proceedings against the IPS officer.

Initially, Ruchika and her parents tried to pursue the matter, but nothing happened. Later, Ruchika committed suicide. In 1997, Madhu filed a writ petition in Punjab and Haryana HC, alleging that the charges against Rathore were not probed because he was a high-ranking police officer. Justice R L Anand of the HC came to the conclusion that a case for registration of criminal case had been made out, and directed that it be investigated by a CBI officer not below the rank of a DIG. The SC upheld the HC order, triggering intense lobbying by aspirants for the top job.