Probe report against Ruchika's school by tomorrow

A report on expulsion of molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra from Sacred Heart School here will be ready by tomorrow, an official today said.

Chandigarh home and education secretary Ram Niwas told reporters that the inquiry was in its final stages, and he would receive the report by tomorrow. Thereafter, it will be made public, he said.

Niwas, who had entrusted the inquiry to sub divisional magistrate Prerna Puri, said, "The inquiry will be fair and independent."

Puri was asked to probe the allegations made by Ruchika's father SC Girhotra against the school for expelling her in September 1990, a month after she was molested, under pressure from Haryana's former DGP SPS Rathore.

On whether the administration was under any kind of pressure from any quarter, Niwas replied in the negative.

"There has been no complaint from the Minorities Commission about the school (being subjected to any kind of pressure by the administration during the probe)," Niwas said.

On the delay in the preparation of the report, he said, "Since school principal (Sister Sebastina) was out of town, we could not question her. Moreover, it is a 20-year-old case, so the delay of one or two days sometimes occurs."

"The principal's role in the episode is crucial because she was at the helm at that time (when Ruchika was allegedly expelled). We had to question her and get some documents from her, which we have now got," he said.