'I learnt to smile from Nehru'

Rathore, breaking his silence for the first time after his conviction in the Ruchika molestation case on December 21 when he was captured smiling on the court premises, said: “I will still smile more if you try to harm me more.”

       His remarks were apparently a veiled reference to the critical media scrutiny of his post-conviction demeanour.

The district court, which admitted Rathore’s appeal against his conviction, has extended his post-conviction bail till February 8. The court said it would hear Rathore’s appeal on three successive days from February 8. It also asked the former top cop to submit his passport to the court within seven days and directed him not to leave the country.
Rathore’s counsel and wife Abha has been alleging that the media was harassing Rathore and carrying out a trial.

Rathore’s smiling demeanour captured by television cameras after he was convicted of molestation on December 21 last had not only shocked the family and friends of Ruchika Girhotra, who had committed suicide after Rathore molested her in his office in 1990, but also angered several civil rights groups fighting for securing justice for Ruchika.
In contrast to his grim body language on December 29 when he had made an appearance in the court for seeking bail, Rathore seemed relaxed and even offered to speak to the media on Wednesday.

“I won’t speak on matters which are subject of inquiry. But I will certainly speak about the secret of smile which you have been discussing,” he told the waiting media persons.
He said as a student, he was inspired by Nehru and learnt to smile in the face of adversity from him. He said he would smile even more if the media tried to “harm” him more.
DH News Service