Ruchika case: Rathore willing to undergo narco test

Former Haryana director general of police S P S Rathore, convicted in the Ruchika molestation case, has offered to undergo narco analysis test to clear what he claimed were "lies" being spread against him by the family of the girl and that of her friend Aradhana.

"It's my moral duty to offer myself to the narco test, provided that Ruchika's father S C Girhotra and brother Ashu, Anand Prakash, a family friend of the Girhotras, his wife Madhu and sole witness in the case Aradhana, also undergo the test," he has said in a recent communication to the state government.

"Ruchika and the Prakash families have been spreading lies through the media all over the country and they have succeeded in getting three new false first information reports registered against me," he has said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered three fresh cases, including abetment to suicide, against the disgraced police officer in the case.

The communication has come as his response to the notice served upon him by the government for withdrawal of his pension benefits.

Meanwhile, Madhu Prakash said on Sunday that her family was ready to undergo any test because "we have never given any false evidence".

"The cases registered against Rathore, including under Section 306 (of the Indian Penal Code for abetment to suicide) are based on facts. He has already been convicted in December last for molestation," she said.

Asked about Rathore offering himself for the narco analysis test, she said, "I think, these are only dilatory tactics being adopted by him. But, if this is what he wants, we are ready."

On February 15, the Punjab and Haryana high court had adjourned till April 5 the hearing on the two FIRs leveling serious criminal charges against Rathore after the CBI had sought more time in the investigations.

His interim bail granted by the high court on January 25 would continue till the next date of hearing next month.

The two fresh FIRs registered by the CBI two months back on the basis of complaints by S C Girhotra and Ashu, accuse Rathore of committing serious offences, including attempt to murder, wrongful confinement, giving false evidence and doctoring the post mortem report of Ruchika, who committed suicide in December 1993 after being molested by the former IPS officer on August 12, 1990.

Rathore had sought quashing of the FIR under Section 306 and the matter had been referred to a division bench.