Under fire for the presence of tainted former Haryana Director-General of Police SPS Rathore on the main dais during district-level Republic Day function at Panchkula, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Monday said the Government will take appropriate action after reviewing the matter.
“We are examining whether he (Rathore) should have been invited or whether he was entitled to attend the function,” said the Chief Minister while talking to the mediapersons in Panchkula near here.
Former DGP Rathore was convicted in 2009 for molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Girhotra back in 1990 and was given a six month sentence by a trial court in Chandigarh. Three years later, Ruchika had committed suicide, allegedly due to harassment by police officials over the case.
A session court had in 2010 enhanced Rathore’s jail term from six to 18 months. Rathore was later granted bail in 2010 in connection with the case, before which he spent around six months behind bars.
After the convicted former DGP was honoured at the Government function on Republic day, the victim’s family and friends had called the entire incident “disgraceful” and also sought apology from the district administration.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the upcoming visit of BJP national president Amit Shah to Haryana, Manohar Lal said that Shah’s visit to the State on February 15 had already been finalised during his previous visit to Rohtak. It is a routine process for the party president to visit each State as it further strengthens the party organisation. During his visit on February 15, about one lakh youth from throughout the State would participate in the motorcycle rally, the Chief Minister said.
In reply to another question, he said that every Government presents its report card to the public in five years. We would also present our report card to the public on time, added he.
Asked to comment on the speculation about cabinet expansion, the Chief Minister said that at present, there is no such need to expand the State Cabinet.
The Chief Minister also expressed hope that the Union Budget for the year 2018-19 to be presented by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would be pro-poor and in the interest of all sections of the society.
On being asked about the issue of Municipal Corporation Panchkula, the Chief Minister said that the matter is under consideration of the State Cabinet. Besides, some technical discrepancies are required to be removed, said he.
He added the State Governments’ policy is to ensure the development of all urban and rural areas of the state in a time bound manner.