Bid to reopen Ruchika case

Ruchika’s brother Ashu had said in his statements in the Ambala CBI Court in 2004 that Ruchika was forced to take the extreme step as she went into depression following the molestation incident.

“The statements of Ruchika’s brother Ashu were recorded after the HC quashed the order to include the abetment section. Based on his statements we plan to approach the court,” said Parkash.

On Tuesday,CBI Special Magistrate J S Sidhu also dismissed Rathore’s 2003 application in which he alleged that the evidence against him was fabricated.

On Monday,the court in its verdict had said that the “allegations against the convict are proved in the present case.” The court turned down the claim of the defence counsel that Rathore bears a high moral character. The defence had pleaded that the accused remained a meritorious officer throughout his career and had been decorated with many awards.

“Meritorious service record and high moral character are two different issues. A person can be competent and efficient,but he may not be having a high moral character. Merely on the ground of meritorious service,it cannot be presumed that anybody will not commit the act of molestation,” the court had said.