Former Special DGP Rajesh Das Arrested Following Complaint by IAS Officer Wife

The Velupuram court had in 2021 sentenced retired Special DGP Rajesh Das to three years in prison in a case involving the sexual harassment of a woman IPS officer. Rajesh Das appealed the conviction at the Madras High Court, which upheld the Velupuram court’s verdict and dismissed his petition. Subsequently, Rajesh Das filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, which temporarily stayed his arrest. The case is still under consideration in the apex court.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Das’s wife, IAS officer Beela Rajesh, recently filed for divorce and legally changed her name to Beela Venkitesh, as published in the government gazette. Beela Venkitesh now resides at a farmhouse in Thayur, near Kelambakkam, following her separation from Rajesh Das.

A few days ago, Rajesh Das reportedly visited Beela Venkitesh’s Thayur farmhouse, allegedly threatening and assaulting the on-site security personnel and causing a disturbance by forcibly entering the property. Acting on her complaint, the Kelambakkam Police registered a case against Rajesh Das under five sections, including illegal trespass, assault, and threat to life, and launched an investigation.

Based on the complaint, Rajesh Das was arrested this morning from his Panayur residence by the Kelambakkam Police and is currently under questioning.

The arrest has drawn significant attention, as Rajesh Das remains under conviction for the sexual harassment case involving the woman IPS officer. Reports also note that prior to these events, Rajesh Das had filed complaints with the electricity board, alleging that his electricity connection had been cut off at the instigation of Beela Venkitesh and demanding action against the staff of the board.

This development has intensified public scrutiny of the former senior police officer, given his ongoing legal entanglements and the high-profile nature of the allegations.