Kidnapping case leads to arrest order against senior IPS officer

The kidnapping case from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has taken a serious and unexpected turn after the Madras High Court ordered the arrest of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H M Jayaram. The case, which initially involved the abduction of an 18-year-old boy, escalated rapidly when the senior police officer was suddenly brought under legal scrutiny. This incident quickly caught national attention when the Supreme Court stepped in, questioning both the arrest directive and the state government’s decision to suspend Jayaram.

On June 16, the Madras High Court had directed the police to secure the custody of ADGP Jayaram based on confessional statements allegedly made by two accused individuals. The case was related to an incident on June 7, when a young boy from Kalambakkam was kidnapped by people allegedly connected to a family dispute. His elder brother Dhanush had married Vijaya Sri from Theni district against her family’s wishes. When her family couldn’t find Dhanush at home, they abducted his younger brother, dropped him off later, and triggered a chain of legal and political events.

Supreme Court questions suspension of ADGP after arrest

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, expressed strong concern over how the situation was handled by the Tamil Nadu government. Though Jayaram was taken into custody and released the same day, the government placed him under suspension, invoking the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.

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The court asked the state to explain why such a senior officer had to be suspended without any apparent procedural necessity. Calling the decision “shocking and demoralising,” the judges demanded clarification from the state government and directed it to report back on the possibility of revoking the suspension.

In response, the Tamil Nadu government stated that the officer’s suspension was not due to the High Court order but was made under service rules which allow suspension pending investigation or trial. However, Jayaram’s counsel argued that the High Court order had no detailed justification and was based purely on a confessional statement without proper legal procedure.

CB-CID takes over as SC resets legal course

On June 19, the Supreme Court transferred the kidnapping case investigation to the CB-CID, citing concerns over impartiality. The apex court also set aside the High Court’s order that had instructed the immediate arrest of the ADGP. It directed the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court to shift the matter to another bench for continued proceedings.

The Tamil Nadu government did not oppose the transfer of investigation to the CB-CID, further suggesting a willingness to allow the legal process to unfold transparently. Jayaram, who is due for retirement next year, is currently exploring legal remedies regarding his suspension.

According to his legal team, the arrest order violated the principles of natural justice, as he wasn’t given a chance to present his side. They also argued that no extraordinary circumstances existed to justify such a hasty custodial action.

Background of the kidnapping case

The original complaint was filed by Lakshmi, a 44-year-old woman from Kalambakkam, who alleged that her younger son was kidnapped by individuals from Theni district. The motive stemmed from a family dispute over her elder son Dhanush’s marriage to Vijaya Sri. Despite her family’s opposition, the couple had tied the knot on April 15. Two months later, the girl’s family allegedly retaliated by targeting Dhanush’s younger brother.

The incident created unrest in the area and drew significant public and media attention due to the involvement of a high-ranking police officer.

Conclusion:

The kidnapping case has rapidly turned into a test of legal integrity, institutional responsibility, and police accountability in Tamil Nadu. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the case has now moved to CB-CID hands, and fresh judicial oversight is expected. Meanwhile, all eyes remain on the developments around ADGP Jayaram, as the state awaits the outcome of the ongoing investigation and the future of the officer’s suspension status.