Ruchika molestation: Verdict deferred till May 25

CHANDIGARH: The much-awaited verdict on disgraced former Haryana top cop SPS Rathore's appeal against his conviction in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case has been put off till May 25.

Earlier on December 21, 2009, the retired IPS officer 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 the former DGP on August 12, 1990, at Haryana Lawn Tennis Association office in Sector 6, Panchkula. Unable to bear the harassment, Ruchika later committed suicide.