Rathore8217;s should go 8212; CVC joins the chorus

NEW DELHI, NOV 30: SPS Rathore, the Haryana DGP chargesheeted by the CBI for molesting a 14-year-old girl, is in no mood to quit. His Chie...

NEW DELHI, NOV 30: SPS Rathore, the Haryana DGP chargesheeted by the CBI for molesting a 14-year-old girl, is in no mood to quit. His Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chauthala, has already indicated that there is no reason to ask the DGP to quit. Rathore and Chauthala, in any case, feel moral turpitude is nothing to be serious about.

The opinion that the DGP should quit, if not sacked, received a fillip when the National Human Rights Commission wrote to Haryana Government this week to explain in two weeks what action it proposed to take against Rathore 8220;to divest him of the powers of the state DGP8221;. Many others have echoed the NHRC8217;s sentiments.

Chief Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal demanded that 8220;action should be taken against him Rathore as when a person in a position as high as his is allowed to get away it sends a very wrong signal8221;. 8220;Moreover, besides the moral turpitude there are standard orders on suspension,8221; said Vittal.

Rathore8217;s colleague in the police force, Kiran Bedi, a joint commissioner of police, said 8220;he should step aside till the charges against him are cleared8221;. 8220;I really think it is difficult for SPS Rathore to carry on. He should seek a change from his position as he is the leader of a force and it affects their morale,8221; said Bedi.

Former Delhi police commissioner Vijay Karan refused to comment on the case since 8220;he did not know the man and the facts of the case8221;. But Karan added that if he was in Rathore8217;s shoes, he would have quit.

Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaisingh said the case warranted the Home Minister to issue a policy statement stating that complaints against the police should be acted upon mandatorily. Jaisingh said the Rathore case reflected the total collapse of the police when it comes to crime against women. 8220;The current situation is just a replay of a scenario seen repeatedly in our country 8212; the erosion of law. Police have a huge responsibility and they have failed it,8221; she said.

But the larger question whether Rathore should be given the option to decide what the course of action should be is hotly debated about. Many ask if it is not the responsibilty of Haryana Government to ensure that the DGP atleast stays off the post until he is cleared of the charges.

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Brinda Karat, President of the CPM-affiliate All India Democratic Women8217;s Association AIDWA, said the state patronage in this case shows that women in Haryana have to fight really hard for their rights and protection. 8220;It is absolutely shameful that the Chautala government, which is a part of the NDA, should be allowed to get away with this especially after the NHRC notice,8221; she said. AIDWA plans to organise demonstrations at all the district offices in Haryana demanding the immediate dismissal and arrest of Rathore.

Karat also demanded that a case be registered under section 306 abetment of suicide be registered against the police officer. The CBI has chargesheeted Rathore under section 354 which is a bailable offence and carries a maximum sentence of two years.

Anjali Rai, Chairman, Delhi Commission for Women, too was to blame the government for not acting on the case. 8220;Police are responsible for the protection of the society while the responsibility of the entire society rests on the politicians. They have to rise above such behaviour,8221; said Rai. She felt if politicians who are part of the government refuse to take the action it will only reinforce their image as a corrupt lot as shown in movies.