SC grants exemption to ex-DGP of TN from surrender in sexual harassment case

New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): The Supreme Court in an interim relief has granted exemption from surrender to former Tamil Nadu Special Director General of Police (DGP) Rajesh Das in connection with a sexual harassment case in which he was convicted by the trial court.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government and sought its response in the matter by July 12.

“In the meantime, the petitioner shall be exempted from surrendering till the next date of hearing,” ordered the bench.

The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Das seeking exemption from surrender in connection with a 2021 case of sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty.

According to the prosecution, the incident took place in February 2021 when Das and the woman officer were part of security arrangements for the then Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, during an election campaign.

In June 2023, a trial court in Villupuram convicted Das on the charge of sexually harassing a woman IPS officer. Later, in February 2024, the sentence was upheld by the Villupuram Principal Sessions Court.

Later, Das approached the Madras High Court with two pleas seeking suspension of the sentence and exemption from surrendering before the trial court. However, the High Court had refused to grant him any relief.

When the High Court on April 23 refused to exempt him from surrendering in the matter, he approached the top court challenging the same.