Former Tamil Nadu Cop Convicted For Sexually Harassing Junior Woman Officer

Former Director General of police Rajesh Das was sentenced to three years imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine by a court in Villupuram on Friday for sexually harassing a fellow officer.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 500 for the then Chengalpattu SP D Kannan, who had tried to prevent the woman IPS officer from lodging a complaint.

The woman IPS officer had filed a complaint against the senior officer in February 2021, alleging the officer had made sexual advances when they were travelling on duty for the security of the then Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami.

The AIADMK government had suspended Das and constituted a six-member committee to investigate.

Former cop convicted of sexual harassment

"The prosecution had recorded statements of 68 persons including police personnel. The officer can prefer an appeal and seek an immediate bail" said a member of the prosecution team.

The case dates back to February 21, 2021 Rajesh Das, who was the then Special DGP and the woman IPS officer were providing security to the then Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami during his election campaign. The woman IPS officer had alleged that Das had sexually harassed her in his vehicle.

After the accusation, Das, who was placed under suspension, was booked by the CB-CID for outraging the modesty of a woman under the Indian Penal Code and also under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act, reports The News Minute.

He was replaced by Jayanth Murali, Additional Director General in-charge of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, and placed under compulsory wait; meaning he had no specific assignment.

The Madras High Court in April this year rejected a plea filed by Das to recall the complainant back and cross-examine her.

Justice P Velmurugan junked the plea, saying the High Court found no 'perversity in the order passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Villupuram (the local court had earlier rejected a similar petition)' but also directed the district court to not bear 'prejudice' to the petitioner.

Image Source: (Twitter/Shilpa1308)

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