CBI steps up heat on cornered Rathore

Amid growing public pressure on Ruchika molestation case, the CBI on Monday decided to file an appeal for enhancement of jail term of convicted former Haryana police chief S P S Rathore and said it was examining the possibility of charging the accused with abetment of suicide.

"It is felt that six months imprisonment and fine of Rs 1,000 is far inadequate specially when the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh, in his judgement concluded that the offence has been proved to the hilt," CBI spokesman Harsh Bahal said.

He said the CBI had consultations with Home and Law Ministries after which it was decided to file an appeal in the competent court for enhancement of sentence to Rathore under 354 IPC (molestation). The maximum sentence provided in law is two years of imprisonment and a fine.

As far as the applicability of Section 306 of IPC relating to abetment of suicide in the Ruchika case is concerned, the legal experts of the CBI are examining the issue to suggest further course of action. "The advice of the Solicitor General of India will also be taken before finalising the view of CBI on this issue," the spokesman said.

The six-month punishment for Rathore saw widespread protests from the civil society and the media following which the CBI as well as both the Centre and state governments started re-visiting the case.

The Haryana police has already registered two fresh cases against Rathore. He attempted to get an anticipatory bail but failed to get an immediate relief.