New Delhi: The Supreme Court came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday for suspending additional director general of police (ADGP) H M Jayaram over his alleged involvement in the abduction of a minor.
The bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan called the move ‘shocking’ and directed the state government to withdraw the order. The bench noted that the suspension order could cause ‘irreparable injury’ to the senior officer who joined the investigation in the case.
“Why have you suspended him? He is a senior police officer. You cannot do this. Such orders are demoralising. He has also joined the investigation. He will suffer irreparable injury. This type of order is shocking,” the bench observed.
Jayaram’s counsel argued: “I am not even a party to the case. I am just a serving ADGP, and the High Court passed an order against me.”
The bench asked the state counsel to seek instructions on why the suspension order should not be withdrawn and posted the matter for hearing on Thursday. “List it tomorrow for the state counsel to seek instructions on why the suspension order issued against the petitioner should not be withdrawn,” the court said. It noted that Jayaram had been released from custody on Tuesday evening.
The Madras High Court had ordered Jayaram’s arrest in connection with the alleged abduction of a 16-year-old boy in a case involving an inter-caste marriage by his elder brother. Jayaram is accused of abetting the kidnapping by allegedly allowing his official vehicle to be used by individuals trying to forcibly separate the couple.
According to the boy’s mother, the couple went into hiding after the marriage, prompting the bride’s family to forcibly enter her home on April 5 and kidnap her younger son allegedly using Jayaram’s vehicle. The boy was later found injured.
Five people, including the woman’s father, a lawyer, and a now-dismissed policewoman, have been arrested in the case. Their statements reportedly implicated Jayaram and MLA “Poovai” M Jagan Moorthy. Jayaram was suspended after the High Court ordered his arrest to send out “a strong message that no one is above the law.” Jayaram obtained bail later.
