CHENNAI: In a setback to suspended
DGP Rajesh Das
, the
Madras high court
on Tuesday dismissed his
plea
seeking
transfer
of his
appeal
against his
conviction
from Villupuram sessions court to some other court. The DGP was convicted and sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a woman IPS officer.
Rejecting his plea, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said that there is no prima facie case for ordering transfer of the appeal.
Though the sessions court has reserved its order on the appeal, Rajesh Das has approached the high court alleging bias on part of the trial court.
“While I have greatest respect for the Principal District Judge, Villupuram who is hearing the criminal appeal, but l understand that because of the huge adverse publicity the mind of the appellate court is very much influenced and predisposed to such an extent that my appellate remedy before the judge could be illusory and an empty formality, just as the trial proved to be before the Chief Judicial Magistrate,” Rajesh Dassaid.
According to the suspended officer, during the pendency of the appeal, he underwent bypass surgery and therefore could not appear before the court or duly instruct his counsel. When adjournment was sought, the court rejected the same, he said.
The court decided to pronounce the order even without the appeal having been argued, which does not inspire confidence that a free and fair mind is hearing the appeal, he added.
“All the petitioner seeks is a fair hearing of his appeal, especially because his liberty and reputation is at stake,” he said.
English (US) ·