New Delhi, Jan 4 : The home ministry Monday decided to strip former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S. P. S. Rathore, convicted for molesting 15-year-old Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, of the police medal he was given for meritorious service in 1985.

The award committee, headed by Home Secretary G. K. Pillai, took the decision to withdraw the medal after a meeting Monday, an official said. The recommendation will now be sent to President Pratibha Patil.

The former police chief was awarded the medal Aug 15, 1985.

Ruchika committed suicide in 1993 after her family was allegedly harassed for three years by Rathore.

Rathore was Dec 21, 2009 sentenced to six months in jail and Rs. 1,000 fine for the molestation 19 years ago, evoking widespread protests over what people called a light punishment.

He has now been booked by Panchkula police in two fresh cases, including the non-bailable charge of attempt to murder, after Ruchika's family filed fresh complaints.(IANS)