Following the strong observations made by the Madras High Court against a Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police and an MLA over their alleged involvement in a kidnapping case, the state police has arrested ADGP HM Jayaram.
The single-judge Bench of Justice P Velmurugan made the observations on Monday, while hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by Puratchi Bharatham Party MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy.
The High Court was apprised that the MLA was absconding and trying to escape the clutches of the law.
The single-judge Bench then directed the MLA Moorthy and ADGP Jayaram to remain personally present in Court in the afternoon.
Following the personal appearance of the politician, the High Court refrained from ordering his arrest and instead directed him to cooperate with the investigation.
The single-judge Bench, however, said the police should take action in accordance with the law against ADGP Jayaram, taking in consideration the confession statements given by the accused.
The Tamil Nadu police arrested the ADGP on Monday, shortly after the High Court order.
The case pertained to the kidnapping of a teenage boy, after his 23-year-old brother married a 21-year-old woman against her family’s wishes. The teenager was reportedly released after his mother lodged a complaint.
Police investigation led to the arrest of several people who were accused of carrying out the kidnapping.
Some of the arrested allegedly accused MLA Moorthy of playing an important role in the kidnapping.
Police reportedly made attempts to arrest the politician from his residence on June 15, but could not do so after around 2,000 Puratchi Bharatham Party cadres gathered at Moorthy’s residence. MLA Moorthy allegedly fled amid the commotion.
The PBP leader then approached the Madras High Court for anticipatory bail application.
As per media reports, Senior Advocate S Prabakaran argued before the High Court that his client had no involvement in the abduction case. Yet, police were determined to arrest him and subject him to custodial interrogation.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) A Damodaran maintained that the MLA was involved in the case.