The Madras High Court has refused to stay a sessions court order that upheld the conviction and three-year sentence imposed on former special Director General of Police (DGP) Rajesh Das in a 2021 case relating to the sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty.In an order passed on February 12, Justice M Nirmal Kumar said a stay could have been granted only if Das had challenged the Villipuram Sessions Court verdict convicting and sentencing him.However, Das had asked for such stay order in his criminal revision petition that was already pending hearing before the Court and in which he had insisted on transferring his criminal appeal to the newly-inaugurated Principal Sessions Court in Kallakurichi district.When the criminal revision petition was listed for hearing before the High Court on Monday, it was informed that the Villupuram Principal Sessions Court had delivered the judgement on the appeal that morning.Das said that the verdict by Sessions Court should be stayed.However, Justice Kumar said such a stay cannot be granted. He then simply issued notice to the State on Das’ revision plea and adjourned the matter to February 27.The sexual harassment 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.The Villupuram Principal Sessions Court had confirmed the conviction and the sentence imposed on Das in the case by a lower court.
TAGS: Madras High Court Sessions court order Former special Director General of Police (DGP) Rajesh Das Sexual harassment case Conviction Three-year sentence Woman Superintendent of Police Criminal revision petition Villupuram Sessions Court
