Supreme Court grants exemption from surrendering in connection with a sexual harassment case to former Tamil Nadu special DGP

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) passed an order granting Rajesh Das, former Tamil Nadu Special Director General of Police (DGP), exemption from surrendering in connection with a sexual harassment case. He was convicted by the Trial Court and the Madras High Court upheld his conviction and 3-year sentence. The bench constituting Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal was hearing the plea filed by Rajesh Das seeking exemption from surrendering in connection with a 2021 sexual harassment case where he was convicted for the offence of sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty. Earlier on April 23, the Madras HC refused to exempt him from surrendering; therefore, he approached the top court. The SC bench, after hearing the matter, granted an exemption from surrendering and sought a response from the Tamil Nadu government in the matter by July 12, 2024. The order passed on May 17, 2024, reads, “Let the notice be issued to the respondent, returnable on 12.07.2024. In the meantime, the petitioner shall be exempted from surrendering till the next date of hearing.”