ADGP arrested as per Madras HC orders in boy abduction case

CHENNAI: Amidst high drama, an IPS officer of ADGP rank was arrested on the Madras high court campus as per the orders of a judge hearing a case relating to a boy abduction incident.Justice P Velmuguran ordered the arrest of H M Jayaram, a 1996-batch IPS officer holding additional director-general of police rank, on Monday for his suspected involvement in the abduction of a 16-year-old boy in an inter-caste marriage case.

Jayaram was arrested and remanded in judicial custody, as directed by the judge.Poovai Jagan Moorthy, an MLA representing KV Kuppam constituency, who too was in the court as ordered, however, was asked to appear before the investigating officer and cooperate with the probe.“The court cannot give the privilege provided to a representative of the people (MLA) to the ADGP, who is a public servant. All public servants must know the consequence of aiding a crime,” Justice Velmurugan said.

“Since two of the arrested accused confessed to the involvement of the ADGP, he must be arrested and inquired. He may approach the appropriate forum to seek bail,” the court added.The court passed the interim order on an anticipatory bail application moved by Jagan Moorthy, apprehending arrest in the case. While giving nod for urgent hearing, the judge had summoned the MLA and the ADGP to be present in the court on Monday.

The case relates to the kidnapping of a minor, Indrachand, from Kalambakkam near Thiruvalangadu on May 10. The boy's elder brother, Dhanush, 23, married Vijaya Sri, 21, against the wishes of her family. The couple, who met on social media, eloped and married on April 15.After failing to trace Vijaya Sri, her father Vanaraja, along with his brother Manikandan and relative Ganesan, all residents of Theni district, approached the MLA for help.

It was alleged that Jayaram lent his official vehicle for the operation. Accompanied by Maheshwari, who had resigned as inspector of police, and lawyer Sarath, the group went to Dhanush’s house and abducted Indrachand under the pretext of questioning him.

Already, the girl’s kin, the ex-inspector and the advocate have been arrested.During the hearing on Monday, the court censured the MLA for not cooperating with the probe and instead blocking the police with hundreds of party cadres. The court then directed him to go alone to the inquiry. “You are an MLA, why are you afraid to go alone?” Justice Velmurugan wondered.“The court must respect the people who voted you to power. That is the reason we didn’t order to arrest you and produce you before us,” the judge added.