Chandigarh, Dec 31 (IANS) Education department officials here are probing the ‘questionable’ role of Sister Sebestina, the principal of Sacred Heart senior secondary girls school, in expelling molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra in 1990.
The Chandigarh administration had in 2005 honoured the same Sister Sebestina with a state award for meritorious service in the field of education.

Right-wing Hindu activists from the Bajrang Dal Thursday held a demonstration outside the sprawling campus of the upscale girls’ school, seeking that its affiliation to the administration be withdrawn along with the state award given to the principal.

Sebestina, who heads the school now, was the principal in September 1990 when Ruchika was expelled, a month after the teenager was molested by senior Haryana police officer S.P.S. Rathore Aug 12, 1990.

The administration, which has ordered a magisterial probe into Ruchika’s expulsion, has asked sub-divisional magistrate Prerna Puri to probe the role of the principal and school management.

Sources in the administration said the principal, who was away on vacation, has been called back for the investigation.