Chandigarh, Jan 18 - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday strongly opposed the anticipatory bail sought by disgraced former Haryana police chief S. P. S. Rathore in connection with two fresh police complaints against him.

CBI submitted its reply in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Rathore, convicted for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, had moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail after a district court of Panchkula town in Haryana had dismissed it Jan 8.

But the CBI counsel in its reply submitted in court said: "The rejection of anticipatory bail by a Panchkula court is proper and based on sound reasoning because there is a possibility of tampering of evidence and intimidating the witnesses as Rathore had held high positions in the state."

Two new First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against Rathore Dec 29 in connection with the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case. He was booked on charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence and criminal conspiracy.

"We have strongly opposed any kind of relief on the arrest of Rathore as he can still use his connections to tamper evidence," Anmol Rattan Sidhu, CBI counsel, told IANS.

"Our team is collecting the evidence. We are not at all biased in this case and our aim is to ensure right justice for both parties," said Sidhu.

In a third FIR Jan 5, Rathore was also charged with abetting the suicide (Section 306) of teenaged molestation victim Ruchika.

Justice Sabina told the CBI Monday to file their reply in the third FIR and the next hearing of the court is slated Jan 25.

"The 30-member team of CBI is here for the last six days but so far they have not found any substantial evidence against Rathore. They are just reproducing the FIRs registered against Rathore," Abha Rathore, his wife and counsel, argued in court.

But the CBI reply said: "CBI's investigation is at the initial stage and Rathore can misuse his official position now also. Grant of anticipatory bail at this stage would not be in the interest of justice as it could intervene in the smooth investigation of the agency."

A CBI special court here Dec 21 held Rathore guilty of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. Rathore was immediately granted bail.

The budding tennis player had committed suicide three years after the incident. (IANS)