Tamil Nadu ex-DGP, sacked and convicted for sexual harassment, booked on IAS ex-wife’s complaint
In her complaint, the Energy Secretary alleged that Das and 10 others broke into the house, and threatened and assaulted the security guard. She also sought protection from him
Former Tamil Nadu DGP Rajesh Das; IAS officer Beela Venkatesan
CHENNAI: Disgraced police officer Rajesh Das, who was convicted in a sexual harassment case, now faces another criminal case, this time on a complaint by his estranged wife, Energy Secretary Beela Venkatesan, who accused him trespassing into her property in Thayur off OMR and harassing the guard.
Sources said Beela along with children are staying in Neelankarai and Rajesh Das had been staying in the Thayur bungalow since they started living separately. But the Thayur house is co-owned by the two. After his conviction, Das had locked the house. But she recently changed the lock when Das went underground after he was convicted, sources said.
Kelambakkam police on Monday booked Das and others under five sections of IPC - 143 (unlawful assembly), 506 (1) (criminal intimidation), 352 (assault), 448 (house trespassing), 454 (Whoever commits lurking house-trespass or house-breaking).
In her complaint, Beela alleged that Das and 10 others broke into the house on May 18, and threatened and assaulted the security guard and robbed his mobile phone. "I am also apprehensive that he may attack me and request protection from him. I had earlier secured my personal properties and informed the DGP through a letter dated March 16."
The complaint came hours after a literal power tussle between them in which the electricity connection to the Thaiyur bungalow was cut off by Tangedco officials following a written request from the department secretary.
"The security guard was abused, assaulted and harassed for nearly six hours during when he was made to clean the toilets and the house and chased away," the complaint stated.
Beela said she learnt of the trespass and assault only on Sunday, as the guard fled to his hometown in fear. She has also submitted a voice recording of the security guard's complaint to the police and sought necessary action against Das and others, and restore her property.
After he was convicted in a sexual harassment case, Das had a non-bailable warrant against him. But he managed to get a temporary relief from the Supreme Court. Beela has already initiated divorce proceedings against the former police officer in a local court.