Investigate the role of Chandigrah diocese – Christian Bodies

New Delhi, JANUARY 8, 2010:  In a statement announcing appeal not to target Sr. Sebastian, principal of Ruchika’s school, two human rights Christian organisations have urged the Punjab and Haryana High Court to investigate the role of the Chandigarh Diocese, which runs the Sacred Heart School, which maintained that no pressure was brought on the school to expel Ruchika Girhotra after she complained of molestation by former Haryana director general of police S P S Rathore.

The principal of the school is merely an ‘employee’ of the diocese and the real authority lies in the hands of the bishop.’ The role of diocese of Chandigarh should be investigated for negligence and decision’ the Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) and Indian Christian Righteous Action Forum (ICRA) urged in their joint statement.

JG Anthony, a spokesman for the Indian Christian for Righteous Action Forum (ICRA) stated that, “Sadly, the history of this case has been about diocesan decision for more than 19 years. Although many Catholic schools have been accused of child neglect” he believes that Ruchika’s case is the first trial in India in which the policies of a diocese have been put under scanner.

The Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) president RL Francis said” the Chandigatrh Bishop should be held more responsible than Sr. Sebastian in Ruchika’s expulsion case “  

The Ruchika case could set a precedent for legal complains against Christian dioceses throughout India, the statement concluded.

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