DELHI, Apr 2 (PTI): Former Haryana DGP S P S Rathore, who got a light punishment in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case that had triggered a huge controversy, is being stripped of the meritorious service medal he had received.

68-year-old Rathore was convicted for molesting budding tennis player Ruchika who later committed suicide, but he got away with six months imprisonment.

This triggered a public outrage and led to strong demands that Rathore be stripped of the medal. The Union Home Ministry approached President Pratibha Patil on the issue.

Sources said Patil gave her assent to the ministry and authorised that the the retired official, who had molested the girl 19 years ago, be stripped of the medal.

The Home Ministry action came on a recommendation made by the Central Police Awards Committee (CPAC).

The CPAC, headed by Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai, recommended to the President for the withdrawal of the 1985 police medal given to Rathore for "moral turpitude" or bringing "disrepute or disrespect" to the service following his conviction.

The six-month sentence for Rathore had also led to a furore which forced the government to take several steps including a direction to the CBI for appealing against the verdict and seek a maximum punishment (two years) for the accused.

The Home Ministry has also served a show cause notice to Rathore asking as to why his pension and other post-retirement benefits should not be reduced.