As a fallout of teenager Ruchika Girhotra's molestation by former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, the high court here has asked administration in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to submit details of all pending criminal cases against 'highly connected people'.

Justice Ranjit Singh has asked home secretaries of both states and the union territory to submit details of cases pending against police officers, politicians, bureaucrats and other highly connected people by Jan 12.

The order follows the conviction of Rathore for molesting the teenager in 1990. Rathore used his powerful position to get away from law for 19 years before being convicted by a court here Dec 21.

The judge in his Dec 27 order observed: 'This case is prime example of justice delayed is justice denied. Blame for this has to be shared by all concerned, including the justice delivery system of courts.

'It is rightly noticed, and justifiably is cause of serious concern, that powerful persons occupying high positions have generally been able to circumvent the system at all levels and all stages,' the judge remarked.