<p class="title">Among the 'dignitaries' occupying prominent space at a Republic Day function in Haryana, was SPS Rathore, the tainted former state director general of police (DGP) who was convicted in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The development has left many astonished over what is being seen as a completely insensitive attitude of the administration to have accorded "VIP status" for the convicted former top cop at the Republic Day function in Panchkula - the place which saw violence over Dera Sacha Sauda chief's arrest last year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rathore's presence on stage triggered strong reactions from members of the civil society, including the family of Anand Prakash - the crusader who led an unflinching struggle for decades to ensure justice for Ruchika Girhotra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ruchika had committed suicide three years after the incident in 1990.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span>Rathore stood up along with other officials while the chief guest, a divisional commissioner rank official, saluted the tri-color that was ceremoniously hoisted. Rathore left the venue thereafter.</span></p>.<p class="bodytext">The developments unfolded a week after Anand Prakash passed away.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prakash's daughter Anuradha, who is based in US reached here a few days ago for her father's last rites, said the move underlines the callous response of the government towards women's safety and rights.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's shameless. It's an insult," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Anurandha said Rathore must have been formally invited for the event, without which it was not possible for him to be present on stage with top government functionaries.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ironically, on the day Rathore was being accorded VIP treatment by the local administration, flanked by top government functionaries, prominent personalities in Panchkula held a remembrance meeting to underline the contribution of Anand Prakash.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They were ignorant of Rathore being treated as a VIP at a close by location on Republic Day.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prakash's family is seeking answers from the administration, but to no avail. Officials are tight-lipped on the issue. Some are citing it as an oversight.</p>
<p class="title">Among the 'dignitaries' occupying prominent space at a Republic Day function in Haryana, was SPS Rathore, the tainted former state director general of police (DGP) who was convicted in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The development has left many astonished over what is being seen as a completely insensitive attitude of the administration to have accorded "VIP status" for the convicted former top cop at the Republic Day function in Panchkula - the place which saw violence over Dera Sacha Sauda chief's arrest last year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rathore's presence on stage triggered strong reactions from members of the civil society, including the family of Anand Prakash - the crusader who led an unflinching struggle for decades to ensure justice for Ruchika Girhotra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ruchika had committed suicide three years after the incident in 1990.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span>Rathore stood up along with other officials while the chief guest, a divisional commissioner rank official, saluted the tri-color that was ceremoniously hoisted. Rathore left the venue thereafter.</span></p>.<p class="bodytext">The developments unfolded a week after Anand Prakash passed away.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prakash's daughter Anuradha, who is based in US reached here a few days ago for her father's last rites, said the move underlines the callous response of the government towards women's safety and rights.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's shameless. It's an insult," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Anurandha said Rathore must have been formally invited for the event, without which it was not possible for him to be present on stage with top government functionaries.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ironically, on the day Rathore was being accorded VIP treatment by the local administration, flanked by top government functionaries, prominent personalities in Panchkula held a remembrance meeting to underline the contribution of Anand Prakash.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They were ignorant of Rathore being treated as a VIP at a close by location on Republic Day.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prakash's family is seeking answers from the administration, but to no avail. Officials are tight-lipped on the issue. Some are citing it as an oversight.</p>
