Ex-special DGP gets three-year rigorous imprisonment in sexual harassment case

Chief Judicial Magistrate M. Pushparani found Mr. Das guilty and sentenced him to undergo three years of Rigorous Imprisonment. He was also slapped a fine of ₹20,500.

Former Special DGP Rajesh Das appearing before the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Villupuram on June 16, 2023. Photo: Special Arrangement

Villupuram Chief Judicial Magistrate M. Pushparani on Friday, June 16, 2023, convicted former Special DGP Rajesh Das in the case of sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty in February 2021. Ms. Pushparani sentenced him to the maximum punishment of three years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 354A (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

She also imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on him.

The incident occurred when Mr. Das and the woman officer were part of the security arrangements for the then Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, during an election campaign.

The court also sentenced him to three years of RI under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman (Amendment) Act, 2002, and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000. For the offence under Section 341, read with Section 109, of the IPC, he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500. The sentences would run concurrently, Deputy Director of Prosecution Y. Amjad Ali said.

“On careful examination of the evidence on record, this court decides that the charges levelled against the accused Das for offences under Section 354 A (2) of the IPC, Section 4 of the TNPWH Act, 2002, and Section 341, read with Section 109, of the IPC and against Kannan for an offence under Section 341 of the IPC have been proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt; thereby, this court finds the accused guilty of the offences,” the CJM said in her order.

D. Kannan was then the Chengalpattu Superintendent of Police.

“As for the offence under Section 354A (2) of the IPC and Section 4 of the TNPWH Act, 2002, are concerned, Das had committed the same, being one of the most senior officers in the State. Hence, this court considered to impose the maximum level of punishment,” the CJM said.

The CJM found Kannan guilty of stopping the woman police officer while she was proceeding to Chennai to file a complaint against Mr. Das. The judge imposed a fine of Rs. 500 on him.

Appeal

The court suspended the sentence for 30 days for Mr. Das to appeal in a higher court.