L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Ruchika case exposes flaws in the system

Since former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore was found guilty in the Ruchika case, the media has spoken against the meagre punishment and obvious flaws in the investigation and delivery of justice in this case. Now, the government has woken up.

Obviously, Rathore was too powerful for Ruchika’s family. He was able to exploit the entire justice delivery system and managed to drag the case for 19 years and almost got away with a slap on the wrist. While the media may claim victory for not letting Rathore get away, the entire episode underscores glaring flaws in our system. A simple analysis of this episode would undoubtedly establish that gross abuse of power and pervasive corruption were responsible for the utter failure of the justice delivery system in this instance.

Although India has made strides in many spheres like economy and technology in recent years, corruption in almost every area of public service has been a major impediment in its progress. There can be little doubt that Rathore was able to throttle the process of justice by using insidious corruption and inherent flaws in the system. Thanks to the media at large, the system has been rattled through public furore and it has given Ruchika’s hapless family a second chance to seek justice.

KUNAL SAHA, Ohio, USA

II

The punishment is not sufficient and SPS Rathore should have been given exemplary punishment. The punishment of six months and a fine of Rs 1,000 seem to be a joke.

S K MITTAL,Panchkula

III

Not only SPS Rathore but along with him the school authorities as well as our society is equally responsible for the loss of a precious life. Even the role of the state government has been questionable and needs to be probed.

AARTI GUPTA,Hamirpur

IV

The functioning of our judicial system leaves a lot to be desired. Even society, except Anand Prakash’s family who dared to take up the matter remained silent all these years. It is the moral duty of every citizen to be aware and educate others about their duties and rights.

KULDEEP SINGH THIND, Kurukshetra

V

Insufficient punishment given to SPS Rathore is an insult to citizens of India. He should be tried for abetment to suicide. There should be a special national-level body to monitor the inappropriate use of power by politicians and bureaucrats. Only then can the common man hope for justice.

BAHADUR SINGH,Australia

Be alert

Indeed, for the safety of our country and the people, both the police and intelligence-gathering network, have to play their respective roles responsibly to prevent terrorist strikes in future, as we are surrounded by hostile and rogue neighbours (editorial, “Intelligence alerts”, Dec 26). The Ram Pradhan report on terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 has also pointed out that the Mumbai police took the intelligence inputs casually and this attitude proved fatal. 

Instead of playing the blame game, the Centre and the states must work together. Politicians should rise above party politics and work for the betterment of the nation. 

ARVIND DHUMAL,Jalandhar

Telangana crisis

By announcing the process of forming Telangana state, the Congress has opened the Pandora’s box. The Centre mishandled the whole issue as a result of which Andhra Pradesh is facing a crisis. It is suggested that the Centre should form a second State Reorganisation Commission.

The commission should be given four years to submit its report. This will give enough time to the government to diffuse the present crisis.

Dr H KUMAR KAUL,Barnala

Maintain media’s credibility In a democratic system, the prime role of the media is to educate the masses about their fundamental rights and make them aware of the malpractices of political parties and their candidates before elections (editorial, “Credibility at stake: Ads can’t be packaged as news”, Dec 25). This role was performed by the Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune, HK Dua, by sharing some vital tips with the readers prior to the Lok Sabha elections. That is why the Tribune is considered as most independent, unbiased and trustworthy newspaper of the country. It is rightly said that in certain newspapers, particularly those published in Indian languages, editors and journalists and some private TV channels increasingly become subservient to marketing managers to whom news is less sacrosanct and advertisements the mainstay of their profession. Since the Press is the Fourth Estate in a democracy and sustains on the trust reposed by the readers, such short-sighted strategies often damage the hard-earned reliability of that particular newspaper and results in a sharp fall in its readership in the long run. The Press Council of India and the Editors Guild of India are doing an appreciable job by dealing with the menace of such surrogate advertisements which were presented as news during electioneering. It is imperative to uphold the sanctity and credibility of the Press. I hope good sense will prevail and newspapers will shun this practice in future. RAJESH SHARMA, Jalandhar Cantt