This will be a model case: Moily on Ruchika

New Delhi, Dec 29 : Law minister Veerappa Moliy on Tuesday said the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case will be made into a model case and pushed for charges that can spell death sentence for former DGP SPS Rathore.

Speaking to a private news channel, Moily said, "We will charge him with abetment to suicide of a minor."

If convicted for this charge, Rathore can be sentenced to death.

Moily said he is in touch with the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the CBI in connection with the Ruchika case.

"We have to show that the rule of law applies to everybody," he said. "This will be a model case," he added.

Earlier in the day, NCW said there should be no further delay in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case and attempt to murder and abetment to suicide cases should be filed against the former Haryana top cop.

"We don't want further delays in the case. We have asked the Haryana government to appeal and have also appealed to the home ministry," said NCW chairperson Girija Vyas at a press conference, on Ruchika's 16th death anniversary (Tuesday).

She said NCW wants fresh applications and fresh FIR against Rathore, adding that various sections Indian Penal Code (IPC) are applicable.

"We have written to the Haryana Chief Minister and Union home ministry to issue fresh FIRs in Ruchika case. We want more stringent charges to be slapped on Rathore; he should be charged abetment to suicide and attempt to murder," Vyas said.

"Criminal conspiracy charges should be brought against all those who backed Rathore," she added.

She said a committee has been set up to find out the details of the case.

"NCW will be fully supportive in securing civil damages for the Rathore family," Vyas said.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has said that the case of Rathore is under legal scrutiny.

"Ruchika molestation case is presently under legal scrutiny of the agency. Final decision on the matter including the aspects of the case highlighted by the media would be taken in after due consultation with the Ministries of Law and Home," the CBI said.

On the other hand, chairman of the NGO World Human Rights Council (WHRC) and lawyer Ranjan Lakhanpal has filed a PIL against Sacred Heart Convent School authorities for allegedly expelling Ruchika under pressure from Rathore.

On Tuesday, the Chandigarh home secretary has Ruchika's school to explain her expulsion.

A probe against the school has also been ordered.

The same day (Tuesday), Ruchika's lawyer Panjkaj Bharadwaj said two fresh FIRs have been filed against SPS Rathore.

"The first FIR has been filed for forging documents like the inquest report and other related documents like the post-mortem report. The second FIR has been filed for illegal confinement of Ruchika's brother Ashu and misuse of official machinery," Bharadwaj said.

Rathore, who has been convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika on August 12, 1990, has been awarded a mere 6 months' inprisonment by a CBI special court.

Budding tennis player Ruchika committed suicide in 1993, allegedly driven to desperation by the former cop who terrorised her family.