In a dramatic development, Tamil Nadu’s Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H.M. Jayaram was arrested following stern directions from the Madras High Court in connection with an alleged abduction case. Justice P Velmurugan, who was presiding over the case, directed the Tamil Nadu police to act against the senior officer, emphasizing that no one is above the law — not even those in the highest ranks of public service. The court also questioned the conduct of KV Kuppam MLA “Poovai” Jagan Moorthy of the Puratchi Bharatha Party (PBP), who was allegedly involved in shielding the culprits and obstructing the investigation.
The case originated from a complaint by a woman named Lakshmi, whose elder son reportedly married a girl without her family’s consent. According to her, the girl’s relatives, accompanied by several unidentified individuals, forcibly entered her home searching for the couple. Failing to find them, the group allegedly abducted Lakshmi’s 18-year-old younger son. The case was registered at Thiruvallur Police Station. During a hearing on an anticipatory bail plea filed by the MLA fearing arrest, the Additional Public Prosecutor revealed the possible involvement of ADGP Jayaram but added that the police had yet to officially register a case against him, prioritizing the interrogation of the MLA first.
The court strongly rebuked both the MLA and the ADGP, accusing them of misusing their positions and acting above the law. Justice Velmurugan chastised the MLA for running “Kangaroo courts” instead of fulfilling his public duties, and accused him of behaving like a “third-class” citizen despite the trust of thousands of voters. The judge remarked that citizens voted for such leaders in extreme conditions, expecting justice and service, not political showdowns and abuse of power. He warned that obstructing investigations with the help of supporters would not be tolerated, and ordered that legal action be taken if such interference occurred again. While the court denied immediate relief on the MLA’s bail plea, it allowed the ADGP to apply for bail through due legal process, affirming that law must apply equally to all.
