Sleaze case accused IPS officer surrenders

RANCHI: After evading arrest for 15 months in a sleaze case, suspended IPS officer and former Inspector General of Police P S Natarajan on Monday surrendered before a local court that sent him to judicial custody.

Surrendering before Civil Court Judge A K Choudhury, Natarajan prayed for bail. His bail plea would be heard on Tuesday, Natarajan's lawyer Anil Kumar Kanth said.

Kanth did not reveal where his client had been since his disappearance.

An arrest warrant was issued against Natarajan and his property attached as he absconded after two private news channel braodcast clippings on July 31 last year allegedly showing him (Natarajan) in a compromising position with a tribal woman.

An FIR was lodged against Natarajan and two others under Section 376 (rape) of IPC, after the woman accused them of sexual harassment.

Natarajan's earlier anticipatory bail petitions had been rejected by subordinate court.