Rathore stripped of medal, Hooda writes to Chidambaram (Lead)
January 4th, 2010 - 6:24 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The union home ministry Monday decided to strip former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore, convicted for molesting 15-year-old Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, of the police medal he was given for meritorious service in 1985.
The award committee, headed by Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, took the decision to withdraw the medal after a meeting Monday, an official said. The recommendation will now be sent to President Pratibha Patil.
The former police chief, who was given a show-cause notice last week by the home ministry, was awarded the medal Aug 15, 1985.
Shortly before the home ministry meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda wrote to Home Minister P. Chidambaram stating that Rathore had brought “disrepute and bad name” to the state and the police forces.
Hooda’s letter also mentioned “moral turpitude” on the part of Rathore in the case.
Pillai is already on record stating that as far as other issues like Rathore’s reduction of pension were concerned, a show-cause notice has been initiated.
The central police awards committee gives the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on recommendation from state governments.
The committee’s recommendations need to have the approval of the president. Similarly, to take away a medal, the case has to be first cleared by the committee and then the president.
Sources said the committee was also likely to take a decision on automatic withdrawal of all police medals given to officers who are convicted.
Ruchika committed suicide in 1993 after her family was allegedly harassed for three years by Rathore.
Rathore was Dec 21, 2009, sentenced to six months in jail and Rs.1,000 fine for Ruchika’s molestation 19 years ago, evoking widespread protests over what people called a light punishment.
He has now been booked by Panchkula police in two fresh cases, including the non-bailable charge of attempt to murder, after Ruchika’s family filed fresh complaints.
- Home ministry withdraws Rathore's medal - Jan 04, 2010
- Ruchika case: SPS Rathore to lose his police medal (update) - Jan 04, 2010
- Ruchika molestation case: Court to deliver verdict on Rathore on May 20 - May 11, 2010
- SPS Rathore to lose his police medal - Jan 04, 2010
- Ministry notices to Rathore; Hooda to reopen Ruchika case (Lead) - Dec 26, 2009
- Rathore stripped of president's medal (Lead) - Apr 23, 2010
- Rathore gets ministry notice, Hooda assures Ruchika case 'revisit' (Roundup) - Dec 26, 2009
- Prakash family hails withdrawal of Rathore's medal - Jan 04, 2010
- Centre withholds Rathore's pension permanently - Jun 30, 2010
- Ruchika molestation case: Home Ministry to serve show cause notice to Rathore - Dec 27, 2009
- Ruchika molestation case: Show cause notice issued to Rathore - Dec 26, 2009
- Service record, moral fibre different things, Rathore told - Dec 23, 2009
- Rathore may lose police medal after Ruchika tarnish - Dec 26, 2009
- Rathore stripped of police medals - Apr 23, 2010
- Chidambaram 'very unhappy' with handling of Ruchika case - Dec 31, 2009
Tags: automatic withdrawal, award committee, awards committee, chief minister, committed suicide, dgp, disrepute, distinguished service, gallantry, home minister, home secretary, hooda, meritorious service, moral turpitude, pillai, police awards, police medal, president pratibha patil, state governments, union home ministry