Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H.M. Jayaram was arrested after the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu police to arrest him to probe his alleged involvement in an abduction case, while also asking KV Kuppam MLA “Poovai” Jagan Moorthy of the Puratchi Bharatha Party (PBP) to cooperate with the investigation.
Justice P Velmurugan of the Madras High Court directed the police to take action against ADGP H.M. Jayaram as per law, stating that as a public servant, he is answerable to the people and emphasising that a strong message must go out that no one is above the law.
The court was hearing an anticipatory bail petition filed by the MLA, who approached it fearing arrest in connection with an abduction case registered by Thiruvallur Police Station on a complaint by one Lakshmi.
Lakshmi alleged that after her elder son married a girl without the consent of the girl’s family, the girl’s relatives, along with some miscreants, entered their house searching for the couple, and when they could not find them, abducted her 18-year-old younger son.
When the anticipatory bail petition came up for hearing on Monday, Additional Public Prosecutor Damodaran informed the Madras High Court about the alleged involvement of the ADGP, stating that no case had been registered against him yet, as the police first wanted to interrogate the MLA.
Following this, the court had ordered both the MLA from the AIADMK ally party and the ADGP to appear before it in the afternoon.
The court criticised the MLA for being involved in a “Kangaroo court” without actually working for the people of his constituency.
The judge remarked that “as an MLA, you should have been a role model for the people instead of acting like a ‘third-class’ citizen and preventing the investigation.”
“You’re not an ordinary person. You have to face things against you. You’re behaving like a third-class person. Already, police and ministers have a tie-up. When will you work for the people?” asked the court.
The judge further said, “You should be a role model for the citizens. The court cannot be a silent spectator when you’re misusing your power and support. People come to support you, believing you’ll help them in their grievance.”
“Without taking up the issue, you’re doing Kangaroo courts. If two people are getting married, let them get married. If there’s any case, let it go to the police and the courts. You’re misdirecting the people.”
The court observed that this case was an opportunity for people to reflect on what their votes were achieving, stating, “Let the people know what their votes are doing. This is the right time to know that the democratic country is in a very bad situation.”
Addressing the MLA, the judge remarked, “Seventy thousand people have voted for you, trusted you. Have they voted you to power for holding Kangaroo courts? It’s for working for the people. You should respond to their complaints, guide them. They’ve come to vote for you in scorching heat, sometimes even without eating. Is this how you’re working for them?”
The court criticised the MLA for showing his might through supporters and obstructing the investigating officers who had approached him in connection with the case.
“In the 47 years that you’ve been in politics, how many times have police come for you? You should’ve sat with the police, enquired about the case. You should’ve appeared and cleared your stand. Why are your supporters coming in this? Is this politics?,” the court further questioned.
The judge warned, “If this happens in future, action should be taken against the supporters also.”
Accordingly, the court refrained from passing any order on the anticipatory bail petition and directed the MLA to cooperate with the investigating agency, adding that strict action could be taken as per law if he failed to cooperate.
The judge also directed the police to arrest the ADGP and secure him in a manner known to law, clarifying that the ADGP was free to approach the court to seek bail, which would be considered as per law.
 H.M. Jayaram was arrested after the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu police to arrest him to probe his alleged involvement in an abduction case){kind=link}