Molestation case should be revisited: Hooda

Embarrassed by the molestation case against former DGP S.P.S. Rathore, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda agreed that the issue must be re-visited.

CAVING IN: The molestation case against former DGP Rathore proved very embarrassing to the Haryana government. The State's Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that the case now needs to be re-visited. File photo

Amidst an uproar over a molestation issue, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the entire case against former DGP S. P. S. Rathore should be revisited.

“After examining (the case) legally, I think it should be revisited. I am fully sympathising with the family,” Mr. Hooda told reporters here.

Rathore has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for molesting a 14-year-old 19 years ago.

Mr. Hooda’s remarks came after CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat met him here to demand an independent probe into the alleged political patronage Rathore enjoyed after being indicted in the case.

The Haryana Chief Minister said he had already given instructions to the DGP of the state to provide “full security” to the family.

“Whatever steps Haryana government has to take after legal consultations, we will take,” he said, pointing out that Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has given an assurance that he would examine the case again.

Mrs. Karat told reporters outside Mr. Hooda’s residence here that the Chief Minister was, however, “non-committal” on the demand for a probe into the alleged political sheltering the former DGP received from successive governments.

Mrs. Karat, accompanied by friends of the victim’s family, also sought M. Hooda’s “pro-active role” in bringing pressure on CBI to reopen the case against Rathore and to get his bail cancelled in the case.