I will testify against Rathore: CBI ex-official

NEW DELHI: The moment of truth could be fast approaching for S P S Rathore in the Ruchika suicide case. The former cop — who was grinning ear to ear only a couple of weeks ago on TV after being given just six months for molesting the teenaged tennis player — may soon face fresh charges. The government and CBI indicated new cases could be made out against Rathore on the basis of dislosures made by former CBI joint director R M Singh who initially handled the investigations . Singh followed up his statements about how Rathore tried to influence him by saying on Tuesday that he was willing to testify against the former Haryana DGP.

Singh said that if summoned , he would not shy away from deposing in court on Rathore’s attempts to bribe him, as also about facts that emerged from the investigations . Home ministry and CBI officials said that apart from booking Rathore under Section 306 IPC for abetment to suicide, fresh charges could also be slapped against him for attempting to bribe a cop and preventing a government official from doing his duty.

“If he is ready to make a statement under Section 161 CrPC, it can become the basis for fresh charges against Rathore. Right now we are consulting the home and law ministries for the next course of action ,” said a CBI official with regard to R M Singh’s remarks. Media reports have shown there might be grounds to examine how evidence was manipulated and destroyed.

Singh said on Tuesday that he was willing to go on record with what he has said so far. “If they summon me, I will not chicken out,” he said. As for the i nve s t i g a - tions, he said he had recommended the abetment to suicide charge but added he was not in a position to elaborate on why the CBI opposed this. “Not going by what a junior officer is saying is not uncommon in CBI. The final decision is the prerogative of senior officials and I am okay with it. However, the fact that CBI opposed it suggests that there was some sort of pressure on the agency. However, I have no idea about what that pressure was or if it involved politicians,” Singh said.

CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhal said all aspects of the case, including those highlighted by the media, were being considered.