Ruchika alma mater defends itself, says her school fees were not paid

Chandigarh, Jan 1 (ANI): The Sacred Heart School in Chandigarh, which facing severe criticism for having expelled Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, claimed on Friday that she was expelled because her fees had not been paid.

Father Thomas Anchanikal, the spokesman for Sacred Heart, said Ruchika had been expelled because her fees had not been paid for six months.

He claimed to have checked all school records.

Former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore has been charged with alleged molestation of teenager Ruchika Girhotra, a promising young tennis star in 1990.

He was then an Inspector General of Police and the head of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Federation.

Ruchika killed herself three years after the incident by drinking poison.

Her family and friends claim that Ruchika's expulsion from school was one of the reasons for her committing suicide.

The officials from the Education Department visited Sacred Heart School on Thursday morning and scrutinized the school records.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in a Chandigarh court demanding a probe into Ruchika's expulsion from school.

Earlier on Wednesday, Father Thomas Anchanikal denied all reports that said the school had expelled Ruchika under pressure from Rathore. (ANI)