Chennai: Alleged intimidation of a security guard, “cutting off power supply” and a police complaint — IAS officer Beela Venkatesan and former IPS officer Rajesh Das, married for 32 years and now separated, are locked in a bitter feud that led to the latter’s arrest.
Chennai’s Tambaram police Friday arrested Rajesh Das, former Special Director General of Police (DGP), on charges of trespassing, assault and criminal intimidation based on a complaint by his estranged wife and state energy secretary Beela Venkatesan.
Beela is an IAS officer of the 1997 batch, while Das is an IPS officer of the 1989 batch.
Das was released on bail later Friday by the Tiruporur judicial magistrate as he complained of heart pain at the court premises.
On 20 May, Beela had filed a complaint with the Kelambakkam police that Das and 10 others broke into her house on 18 May and allegedly threatened the security guard, Tamil Nadu police sources told ThePrint.
She also alleged that Das and the others abused, assaulted and harassed the security guard for over six hours. The guard was made to clean the toilets and the house after which he was chased away, Beela stated in her complaint, the sources said.
According to the complaint, Beela came to know of the incident on 19 May as the guard who had allegedly been harassed fled to his hometown out of fear.
Based on her complaint, the Kelambakkam police registered a case against Das and the others under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 506(i) (criminal intimidation), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 448 (house trespassing).
On Friday, a group of officers led by Pallikaranai Deputy Commissioner of Police Gautam Goyal arrested Das from his residence. Later, when produced before the judicial magistrate for remand in prison, he complained of heart pain and was subsequently released on bail.
ThePrint reached Beela and Das for comment but calls to both went unanswered. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
Case of the bungalow
Beela’s complaint against Das comes in the wake of a tussle between the two.
Police sources told ThePrint that Beela has been living in south Chennai locality Neelankarai since the separation, while Das has been staying at a bungalow in Thayur, a city suburb. The land of the bungalow belongs to Beela, but the bungalow is co-owned by the couple.
In July 2023, Das was convicted for sexually harassing a woman IPS officer by a trial court in Villupuram. In April this year, after the Madras High Court upheld his conviction and refused to stay his arrest, Das locked the Thayur house and went underground, police sources said, even as he filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, Beela changed the lock of the Thayur house, added sources.
On 20 May, electricity department officials cut the power supply of the Thayur bungalow. The former IPS officer alleged that his estranged wife was behind it. Speaking to the media, Das accused Beela of abusing her position and termed it illegal to cut off the power supply when he had paid all dues. He also moved the Madras High Court in the matter.
However, Beela told the media that she had full right to disconnect the power supply as the electricity connection was in her name.
According to Das, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation officials first reached his place on 19 May to disconnect the power supply but left as Das restrained them.
On 20 May, the officials proceeded to disconnect the power supply as a written request was put for the same from energy secretary Beela, said police sources.
Beela responded to Das’ allegations this week by telling the media that she did not want to unnecessarily spend on electricity bills of the house, which she said had been vacant for the last three months. “The occupant was given enough time to give documents of proof (of residence). As he failed to furnish it, TANGEDCO officials did their duty,” she had said.
On 23 May, Das approached the Madras High Court seeking restoration of the power supply to the bungalow, apart from sending a notice to Beela for allegedly snapping the supply.
Though the vacation bench of Justice P.B. Balaji did not order restoration of power, Das was allowed to send a notice to Beela. The matter has been posted for hearing on 29 May.
In the sexual harassment case, in which the principal sessions court sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, Das got relief from the Supreme Court on 17 May. He had earlier filed an appeal before the Madras High Court seeking suspension of sentence and exemption from surrendering before the trial court. After the high court dismissed both pleas in April, Das went underground. The apex court has now granted interim stay on Das’ arrest.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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