Ruchika molestation case: Principal returns govt award

The principal of Sacred Heart School, S. Sebestina, has returned the State Award conferred on her for meritorious contribution to education in Chandigarh.

Sr Sebastina returned the honour after the Chandigarh administration directed that she be stripped of her award for her role in the expulsion of Ruchika Girhotra from school following her molestation by former Haryana DGP S.P.S. Rathore.

"One of the school representatives has returned the prize money, commendation certificate and medal to the concerned authority here this (Monday) evening," Chanchal Singh, district education officer, Chandigarh, said.

Sr Sebastina was the principal of the school in 1990, when Ruchika was expelled.

An inquiry found the principal guilty of "arbitrarily" expelling Ruchika for fee default.

The inquiry report has, without naming Ruchika's molestor Rathore, clearly stated that the school authorities took action under "external influence".

Reacting to the report, Father Thomas, the spokesperson of the Shimla-Chandigarh diocese said, Ruchika was not expelled, she "stopped coming and her name was struck off the rolls".

About the medal and prize money being returned, he said, "We don't serve for awards or money. No recognition from them (union territory authorities) can match the 45 years of selfless service we've given."

He added: "Driven by media pressure, the UT administration has victimised the school's principal. If they were so just, why did they confer the award at all? Even then, everybody knew about the allegations against the school by these complainants."