The Madras High Court has denied interim relief to former special DGP of Tamil Nadu, Rajesh Das, who sought the restoration of the electricity connection to his house in Thayur, Kelambakkam, Chennai. The matter has been postponed to June 3 for further hearing before a regular bench.During the hearing, Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad remarked that he did not wish to pass any adverse orders while presiding over the vacation bench. Senior counsel Prakash, representing Rajesh Das, argued that Das’s estranged wife, Beela Venkatesan, who serves as the principal secretary of the energy department, was manipulating the state machinery to settle their matrimonial dispute.
Prakash asserted that Rajesh Das is the owner of the house, having paid approximately Rs. 1.20 crore as a loan amount for the property. However, Beela Venkatesan holds the land title where the house was built and had written to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to disconnect the electricity, which Tangedco did on May 20 without prior notice. This, the counsel argued, was illegal.
Prakash also highlighted that Rajesh Das has a heart condition, necessitating the immediate restoration of electricity.
Additional Advocate General (AAG) J Ravindran, representing Tangedco, contended that the electricity supply was disconnected at the request of Beela Venkatesan, as the land title and the current electricity connection are in her name.
Senior counsel P Wilson, representing Beela Venkatesan, argued that Rajesh Das, a convicted accused in a sexual harassment case who had been absconding for two years, was attempting to hide in Venkatesan’s house. Wilson also accused Das of trespassing and assaulting the watchman.
Wilson further argued that as a convicted accused, Rajesh Das should not be allowed to enter Venkatesan’s house or engage in illegal activities there and that he should find alternative accommodation.
The court, taking into account the arguments presented, refused to grant interim relief and scheduled the matter for June 3 for further proceedings.
