The fact that a serious case, in which a young girl was haunted, hounded and harassed by a senior police officer after being molested, and her family victimised for long, took 19 long years to reach its logical conclusion is unfortunate. The larger issue cannot be settled by registering FIRs alone; a high-level enquiry commission should be constituted to identify all those who connived with Rathore, and ensured that he remained free. The former DGP, obviously, did not do everything himself. He only issued directions and managed through his ever-obliging subordinates, some of whom are still enjoying privileged positions in the police and bureaucracy. They, too, need to be brought to justice.
Harbans Kanwal,
Ludhiana
Rathore, who molested a 14-year-old and drove her to suicide three years later, is a symbol of police high-handedness and degeneration. His sentence of six months imprisonment is in no way commensurate with his crime. The shameful delay of the verdict by 19 years has only added insult to injury. It is a matter of great shame that Rathore not only molested the girl but used his power as a senior police officer to harass her, her family and friends. It is indeed difficult to stand up against the high and mighty.
Suman Kukal,
Chandigarh
