Ruchika case: Hooda assures early SIT probe

Ruchika case: Hooda assures early SIT probeChandigarh, Jan 2 - A special police team tasked to probe fresh charges against former Haryana police chief S. P. S. Rathore, convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, will complete its work "as early as possible", Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Saturday.

"We have full sympathy with the family members of Ruchika. SIT's (Special Investigation Team) report is awaited. We will not spare the guilty," Hooda told reporters here.

The Haryana Police set up the SIT Wednesday to probe fresh charges hurled at Rathore by Ruchika's brother Ashu, who accused the former police officer of driving his sister to suicide.

Rathore was Haryana's director general of police in 1999-2000.

"We have directed SIT to submit its report as early as possible to ensure speedy delivery of justice," said Hooda.

A Haryana court Friday allowed Rathore bail till Jan 7 if he was arrested over the fresh charges.

On Dec 21, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh held Rathore guilty of molesting 15-year-old Ruchika Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Rathore was immediately granted bail.

Ruchika, a tennis player, committed suicide in 1993 unable to cope with the harassment of her family and alleged torture of her brother by the Haryana Police, which slapped false charges of car theft against him. (IANS)