Don’t strip Rathore of his medals: K.P.S. Gill

The former Director-General of Police of Punjab, K.P.S. Gill, on Thursday said the former Haryana DGP, S.P.S. Rathore, should not be stripped of his police medals following his conviction of molesting a teenager.

Rathore has also three FIRs registered against him charging him with attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide of the budding tennis player, who took her own life in 1993 three years after the molestation.

Mr. Gill, who spoke to journalists at Ambala, said: “Every man is innocent till he is proven guilty.” Awards given for bravery should not be taken back following a media trial. “Medals should be taken away only in cases of treason by police officers. In other countries, they strip an officer of medals only if he commits treason or is in involved in suspicious international activities.”

Mr. Gill lashed out at the media for reporting only “one side of the story.” This is not justice; a man is innocent until he is proven guilty.”

Mr. Gill himself was convicted of outraging the modesty of a senior IAS officer, but was let off with a minor fine. Ever since the Central Police Awards Committee recommended withdrawal of police medal from all persons convicted of moral turpitude and any act that brings disrespect to the police force, there has been a debate about the status of medals received by Mr. Gill.

Also, the former IAS officer who was molested by Mr. Gill in 1988 demanded that he be stripped of the Padma Shree award.