Hooda assures impartial probe into Ruchika case

Chandigarh, Dec 29: Without listing any concrete steps for time-bound action in the matter, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday assured an impartial enquiry into the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case involving former director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore.

"All aspects of this case are being examined legally and the government would try to ensure justice to the affected family," Hooda told mediapersons at Khedar near Hisar, 300 km from here, after inaugurating the first phase of the 1,200 MW Rajiv Gandhi thermal power plant.

Sources in the Haryana government said here that Hooda has directed the state's home secretary to get the whole matter legally examined so that the case could be

're-visited' and more punishment could be sought for Rathore.

Rathore was convicted last week by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000.

He was immediately let out on bail by the court to enable him to appeal against the order in a high court.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player, who was 14 years of age at the time of her molestation, committed suicide by consuming poison three years after the incident.