Ruchika case verdict on May 25

Chandigarh, May 20: The Chandigarh Sessions Court on Wednesday postponed the announcement of verdict on the much awaited the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case to May 25 (Tuesday).

Additional District and Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh who has completed the hearing on former Haryana Director General of Police SPS Rathore's appeal against his conviction in the case, was scheduled to pronounce the verdict on Wednesday.

On May 25, besides Rathore's plea, order on the Central Burau of Investigation's (CBI) appeal seeking enhancement of sentence from six months to two years for Rathore and the complaint made by Rathore against Ruchika's family friend Anand Prakash for forging the documents pertaining to the case, would also expected to be announced.

On December 21, 2009, Rathore was convicted for molesting Ruchika, a budding tennis player.

He was sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment by the court.

Thereafter, Rathore had moved an appeal against the sentence, hearing of which started in February.

However, the hearings were adjourned for a long time following the attack on Rathore on February 8 by a Banaras-based youth.

The day-to-day proceedings of the case held in-camera resumed on May 3 and concluded on May 11.

Ruchika was allegedly molested by Rathore on August 12, 1990, at Haryana Lawn Tennis Association office in Sector 6, Panchkula.

Unable to bear the harassment, Ruchika later committed suicide.

ANI