Chandigarh: Sacred Heart Convent, where Ruchika Girhotra was a student, is in the firing line of Chandigarh authorities with Home Secretary Ram Niwas threatening school authorities with legal action for not cooperating with investigations.
Sources told CNN-IBN that the school had not been cooperating with its enquiry as to why Ruchika was expelled in September 1990, barely a month after she was molested by former Haryana director general of police SPS Rathore.
The Chandigarh administration says it will take legal action against the school if it continues to stall investigations.
Officials say former principal Sister Sebastina appeared before the investigation team only after three summons.
Moreover, the school has so far not given a satisfactory explanation for Ruchika's expulsion to the investigators.
On the other hand spokesperson of Chandigarh Shimla Diocese Father Thomas, under whose jurisdiction Sacred Heart Convent comes, denied that Ruchika was expelled from the school.
"The school never expelled Ruchika. Her name was struck off from school rolls due to non-payment of fees. However, parents misunderstood what it means. No notice of expulsion or removal from school was given," said Thomas.
"For six months the family did not pay fees. She was never expelled from the school," he added.
Sources say the investigation revealed many students had defaulted on fee payment before and Ruchika's expulsion came because of police pressure. Sources also say Ruchika's case of expulsion because of non-payment of fee was the only one in the school's history.
Rathore molested Ruchika on August 12, 1990 and the youngster committed suicide three years later on December 29, 1993.
Comments
0 comment