Chandigarh, Dec 29 : Sixteen years after Ruchika Girhotra, a promising young tennis star killed herself by drinking poison, her friends and acquaintances remembered her. Ruchika committed suicide because she was unable to face the trauma imposed on her family at the hands of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, following her molestation at his hands.

The last nineteen years have been a period of sheer agony for her family and friends.

Ruchika''s friend Aradhana remembers the time when she used to play tennis with her.

"I remember clearly we used to come to the court and play. We both would watch Monika Seles and Steffy Graph''s games. Therefore, when I come here it becomes very difficult for me. I can see her everywhere, her smiling face, her strokes, her body language. She was so active. I can''t play this game ever again," said Aradhana.

"She used to beat me every time. Once I tried with my husband in Australia but I couldn''t. So yes, I will be living with the feelings that I shared with Ruchika for the rest of my life. It was a really ugly incident for us. It changed our outlook towards life," she added.

Aradhana, now settled in Australia, is determined to fight until Ruchika gets justice. At present, she is back to her parents place attending to Ruchika''s case.

Manju Prakash, Aradhana''s mother also deeply remembers Ruchika whom she treated like her own daughter.

"She was my daughter''s friend. I had motherly feeling towards her as her mother had died. We used to talk. I feel very sad when I remember her. She would have had her own family today," she said. (ANI)