Prosecution failed to hear certain witnesses : Abha Rathore

Chandigarh: SPS Rathore's lawyer wife Abha,
who has challenged his conviction in Ruchika molestation case,
today told the court that the prosecution had failed to hear
certain key witnesses present at the scene of the alleged
crime who could have unravelled the entire truth.
As the day-to-day hearing on the revision petition
filed by Rathore resumed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court
here, Abha submitted that certain witnesses, including ball
picker Paltoo, coach Thomas and chowkidar Pyare Lal, present
on the day of alleged crime, were not heard by the prosecution
in the case."The prosecution story revolves around only two girls -
Aradhana (friend of Ruchika and daughter of complainant Madhu)
and deceased Ruchika whereas other witnesses who were present
at the site on August 12, 1990 were not brought by the
prosecution," she contended while trying to pick up holes in
the probe story.
Even the gunman attached to Rathore at that time was not
heard by the prosecution, she submitted while asserting that
"the story of prosecution is not proved by the chain of
events."
She contended that Paltoo, the then manager of Haryana
Lawn Tennis Association Kuldeep Singh and Thomas among others
would have been key persons to unravel the truth on the nature
of the incident.
"Had these people been heard by the prosecution, the whole
falsehood of the prosecution would have been exposed," she
said, adding, independent witnesses should have also been
brought by the prosecution in the case.
She also submitted in the court that adverse influence
was made on witnesses in the case and contended that the
prosecution had failed to establish that Aradhana was present
at HLTA on the day of the alleged crime.
She further submitted that Ruchika's statement recorded
by the then DGP R R Singh was not brought on record.
"What material relating to Ruchika are on record except
her forged signatures," she questioned.
Assisted by her lawyer daughter Priyanjali, Abha claimed
that Ruchika had never made any complaint before police during
investigations in this case.