Shocking: Supreme Court questions Madras HC action against TN ADGP in abduction case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed shock over the order of Madras High Court directing action against Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) HM Jayaram in connection with an abduction case..The Bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan also took strong exception to the suspension of Jayaram, who was taken into custody pursuant to the High Court order.The Court noted that though the senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was released on Tuesday, he has been suspended from his post.The Court said such action was shocking and asked the State counsel to furnish details about withdrawal of the suspension. "You obtain instructions. He’s a senior police officer. Where’s the question of suspending him if he’s joined investigation. You can’t do this. This is very demoralising. You obtain instructions," the Court remarked as it listed the matter for hearing on Thursday..Jayaram moved the top court after Madras High Court ordered action against him on June 16 while hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by Puratchi Bharatham Party MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy, who is alleged to be involved in the abduction of a teenager following an inter-caste marriage opposed by the girl’s family..The High Court had directed both the MLA and the ADGP to appear in person after being informed that Moorthy was absconding and allegedly evading arrest. The High Court refrained from ordering Moorthy’s arrest after he appeared before the Court. However, the Court ordered the police to take action against ADGP Jayaram in accordance with law. Jayaram was thereafter, taken into custody..Though the counsel representing Jayaram today told the top court that he was formally arrested, the State said he was not arrested but had joined the investigation. The Court then asked State to inform it whether the suspension order can be revoked..The case relates to the alleged abduction of a teenage boy after his elder brother, aged 23, married a 21-year-old woman from Theni against her family’s wishes. The boy’s mother lodged a police complaint, following which several individuals were arrested. Some of them reportedly confessed that Moorthy and Jayaram were also involved..According to the State, the girl’s father, Vanaraja, had contacted Maheshwari, a dismissed woman police constable, to annul the marriage. Maheshwari allegedly escalated the matter to ADGP Jayaram, who then involved MLA Moorthy. When police tried to arrest Moorthy on June 15, approximately 2,000 party cadres allegedly gathered to obstruct the attempt, and the MLA reportedly fled. .The High Court was also informed that the boy was later dropped off near a bus stand using the ADGP’s official vehicle, driven by a constable to avoid detection. According to the prosecution, ₹7.5 lakh in cash was recovered and two of the arrested accused – including an advocate affiliated with Moorthy’s party and Maheshwari – had confessed to their involvement and implicated the MLA.