The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea from former Special Director General of Police (DGP) Rajesh Das, who sought the restoration of electricity to a bungalow located in Thaiyur, Kelambakkam.
Justice Anitha Sumanth, presiding over the case, also declined to refer the ongoing matrimonial dispute between Rajesh Das and his estranged wife, Beela Venkatesan, to mediation. Beela Venkatesan currently serves as the Principal Secretary to the Energy Department.
Rajesh Das approached the High Court with allegations that his estranged wife, leveraging her position as Principal Secretary of the Energy Department, manipulated the state apparatus to settle their matrimonial dispute. According to Das, Venkatesan instructed the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to disrupt the electricity supply to the bungalow, where he resides.
Senior counsel Prakash, representing Rajesh Das, argued that his client is living in the bungalow with the aid of a generator and solar panel due to the disrupted electricity connection, which occurred without prior notice. Prakash emphasized the urgency of restoring electricity, citing Das’s recent bypass surgery and heart ailment as critical health concerns.
Conversely, Beela Venkatesan claimed ownership of the property where the bungalow is situated. She asserted that since she is not residing in the property, she had legitimate grounds to request the disconnection of the electricity. Venkatesan further highlighted that Rajesh Das, a convicted sexual offender, should not be permitted to stay on her property. She also noted that Das has a flat in Nungambakkam but continues to occupy her property.
Justice Anita Sumanth, after considering the submissions, ruled against referring the dispute to mediation and dismissed Rajesh Das’s plea to restore the electricity supply to the bungalow.