A city court issued a non-bailablA non-bailable warrant (NBW) has been issued against retired IPS officer S. Murugan for failing to appear in court for the framing of charges in a sexual harassment case.e warrant (NBW) on Friday against retired IPS officer S. Murugan after rejecting his plea to be discharged from a sexual harassment case. This development follows a series of legal proceedings initiated against him while he was serving as Joint Director of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai.
Background of the Case
In August 2018, Murugan allegedly sexually harassed a woman police officer, prompting the matter to be referred to the Internal Complaints Committee. The Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) later registered a criminal case against him, filing a chargesheet that included charges under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (outraging the modesty of a woman by criminal force) and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, among others.
Earlier this year, despite the pending judicial and disciplinary proceedings, the State government permitted Murugan to retire upon reaching the age of superannuation, stipulating that the retirement was “without prejudice” to the ongoing cases.
Court Proceedings
On November 15, XI Metropolitan Magistrate N. Sultan Aribeen dismissed Murugan’s plea seeking discharge from the case, observing that the prosecution had established prima facie evidence. The magistrate highlighted that in cases of sexual harassment, the victim’s statement alone, if found credible, is sufficient to proceed against the accused, as upheld by higher courts in several past rulings.
Murugan’s plea had relied on other witness statements that allegedly did not support the prosecution’s case, but this argument was rejected. The court directed Murugan to appear on November 22 for framing of charges.
Failure to Appear and NBW Issuance
Murugan failed to appear before the court as directed. Consequently, an NBW was issued against him. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 2, 2024.
