The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its strong resentment against the Madras High Court verdict, which ordered the Tamil Nadu Policee to arrest Additional Director General of Police (ADG) HM Jayaram in connection with the kidnapping of a minor.
The Bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan further took strong exception to the suspension of Jayaram, who was taken into custody on June 16, hours after the High Court order.
The top court of the country noted that although the senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was released on June 17, the Tamil Nadu government had suspended him.
Terming the incident as demoralising, the Apex Court directed the Counsel appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu to furnish details about withdrawal of the suspension and posted the matter for hearing on June 19.
The state police had arrested ADG HM Jayaram on Monday, hours after the Madras High Court made strong observations against him and Puratchi Bharatham Party MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a minor.
The single-judge Bench of Justice P Velmurugan made the observations on Monday, while hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by PBP MLA Moorthy.
The High Court was apprised that the MLA was absconding and trying to escape the clutches of the law.
The single-judge Bench directed the MLA Moorthy and ADGP Jayaram to remain personally present in Court on the afternoon of June 17.
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 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.