Acting on the Madras High Court’s orders, Tiruvallur police on Monday arrested Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) HM Jayaram for his alleged involvement in the abduction of a 16-year-old boy. The court also came down heavily on ‘Poovai’ Jagan Moorthy, KV Kuppam MLA and president, Puthiya Bharatham, for blocking the investigation and warned that “no one is above the law.”
The case stems from a complaint filed by Lakshmi, the boy’s mother, who said her elder son Dhanush (23) married a woman named Vijaya Sri (21) against her family’s wishes. With the couple in hiding, the girl’s family allegedly abducted Dhanush’s younger brother, Indrachand (16), from their house near Thiruvalangadu on May 10. The boy was later found abandoned near a hotel, injured.
According to LiveLaw, the court was told that the woman’s family had approached the MLA for help after failing to locate the couple. The MLA allegedly conspired in the abduction and later blocked police from questioning him, with party supporters surrounding his residence.
Meanwhile, Times of India reported that two arrested suspects confessed that the abduction was carried out using the official vehicle of ADGP Jayaram, who was accompanied allegedly by Maheshwari, a former policewoman, and lawyer Sarath.
Justice P Velmurugan, hearing the anticipatory bail plea filed by MLA Jagan Moorthy, criticised the police for delaying action against the ADGP. During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Damodaran informed the court that a case had not yet been registered against the ADGP, as police first intended to question the MLA. The judge then directed that both the MLA and ADGP appear in court.
In court, Justice Velmurugan also rebuked the MLA: “You are not an ordinary person. You should be a role model for the citizens. Instead, you're behaving like a third-class person.” He added, “People came to vote for you in scorching heat, sometimes without eating. Is this how you serve them?”
The court criticised the use of “kangaroo courts” and condemned the MLA for showing political might rather than cooperating with the law. “If such obstruction continues, cases should be registered against every supporter involved,” the judge said.
Following these strong remarks, the court refrained from granting the MLA anticipatory bail but directed him to fully cooperate with the investigation. The judge also directed the police to arrest ADGP Jayaram “as per law,” stating that the officer was free to seek bail before the appropriate forum.