Ex Tamil Nadu Top Cop Convicted In Sexual Harassment Case

A local court in Villupuram on Friday convicted Tamil Nadu ex-Special Director General of Police Rajesh Das in the case relating to the sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty in February 2021.

A Villupuram court also imposed a fine of Rs 500 on a male cop who had tried to stop the complaint from being filed.

In 2021, a woman IPS officer had filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment by the Special DGP in his official car during their official visit to Ulundurpet District. She also claimed that the Special DGP and others obstructed her from lodging the complaint.

Following the complaint, the CBCID filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the Special DGP and the Superintendent of Police, Chengalpet, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act, 1998.

The case came to light when All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Edappadi Palaniswami was chief minister.

The Madras High Court took suo moto notice of the matter, describing it as shocking and monstrous with significant implications for women officers in the Tamil Nadu Police Force.

The court strongly condemned the incident and recognised it as an exceptional case that required close monitoring of the investigation. In compliance with the court's directives, the Tamil Nadu government suspended the officer involved.