ADSJ Gurbir Singh said in his order yesterday that when Ruchika, a 14-year-old budding tennis player was molested in 1990, Rathore was the President of Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA).
"As long as such persons are at the helm of affairs, the presence of women in the sports activities cannot be increased and real talent cannot be brought forward to represent the country in various sports," the Judge said.
The convict was HLTA President at that time and was even running the office
in the garage of his house which means he was an overall incharge of HLTA
functions, the court detailed the incident of molestation of August 12, 1990
and subsequent incidents that followed, including filing of defamation cases
by Rathore against many persons, including minor victim (Ruchika) and her
friend Aradhna and expulsion of Ruchika from Sacred Heart Convent School here.
The Court said, "In the instant case, the offence committed by the convict is under Section 354 IPC. At the time of commission of offence, the convict was police officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police whereas, victim was a teenaged minor school going girl having high hopes from life.
"She used to play lawn tennis in the courts of HLTA with sole aim to become good player," the Judge said.
"The convict was a senior police officer and HLTA President at the time of incident. As police officer his role was to protect the public. As President of HLTA his role was to train young budding players for the India.
But he failed in both duties by molesting a minor girl. People are afraid to send their minor girls to play grounds due to presence of such persons in the sports field. Due to activities of such persons, our nation is lagging behind in every sport and citizens of country felt ashamed as knowing that India lost again," the judge noted.