Veena, the woman described as S.C. Girhotra's second wife and a former governess of the Girhotra family, has told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana police that she married Girhotra in November 1990 -- three months after his teenage daughter Ruchika was molested by former Haryana police chief S.P.S Rathore, reports The Hindustan Times.
It was the second marriage for both Veena, a widow, and Girhotra, a widower, she reportedly told investigators.
Veena, who was finally traced and quizzed by SIT officials, is regarded as a key witness in investigations of the freshly registered cases against Rathore and other police officials.
Though the SIT has been tightlipped on the revelations made by the 55-year-old, sources said Veena gave a detailed version of the events on December 28 and 29, 1993, when Ruchika consumed poison at home and was taken to the PGI hospital in Chandigarh.
Sources said her statement contradicts Girhotra's claims in his fresh police complaint that plainclothes policemen deployed by Rathore outside his house had coerced him into taking an unconscious Ruchika to PGI hospital on December 28.
Veena, who is said to be hearing impaired, reportedly said she and Girhotra lived together as husband and wife till 1995 at his Panchkula house (number 363, Sector 6). His children, Ruchika and Ashu, also lived with them; and she and Girhotra separated in 1995, she reportedly said.
Veena is also said to have given details about when and how she met Girhotra. Sources said both were followers of a saint at Surajpur temple (near Chandigarh) and met there for the first time in 1989. The saint, who later passed away, suggested they get married.
However, Veena's family, from her parents' side, was not keen on marrying her to Girhotra, Veena reportedly said. But Ruchika's fondness for Veena played a major role in making the marriage possible, sources said.
This part of her account corroborates the 2000 statement given by Girhotra to the then DIG, CBI, Rajesh Ranjan. "My second wife, Veena Girhotra, had very cordial relations with Ruchika," the statement said.
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