'Demoralising' : Supreme Court Questions Suspension Of Tamil Nadu ADGP Jayaram, Says HC Order For His Arrest Is 'Shocking'

The Supreme Court today(June 18) questioned the State of Tamil Nadu for the suspension of the Additional Director General of Police HM Jayaram in relation to his alleged involvement in an abduction case.The Court also expressed shock at the Madras High Court's direction to arrest the ADGP, which was issued while hearing an anticipatory bail petition filed by an accused.A bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan, hearing a petition filed by Jayaram against the High Court's direction, asked the State of Tamil Nadu whether his suspension from service was necessary, given the fact that he has joined the investigation.The petitioner's counsel informed the Court that Jayaram, who was arrested on June 16, was released yesterday around 5 PM after he approached the Supreme Court. But he has been placed under suspension. He submitted that the High Court passed the direction against Jayaram even though he was not a party to the anticipatory bail petition.The State's counsel however claimed that the petitioner was not arrested.Questioning the officer's suspension, Justice Bhuyan told the State's counsel, "You can't do this. This is very demoralising." Justice Manmohan pointed out that the petitioner was an officer with long service of 28 years.The State's counsel said that their only concern was that he should join the investigation. When he has joined the investigation, what is the need to suspend him, asked the bench."You obtain instructions to withdraw the suspension order, he's a senior police officer," Justice Bhuyan told the State's counsel.Justice Bhuyan also expressed displeasure at the High Court's direction to arrest Jayaram. "These type of orders, it is shocking actually," Justice Bhuyan said. Justice Manmohan remarked in a lighter vein, "I have been a judge for 18 years. I never knew I had this power [to direct arrest]." The bench posted the matter tomorrow, asking the State's counsel to get instructions on whether the suspension order against Jayaram would be withdrawn.The bench observed in its order as follows:"Mr Chaudhari, for the petitioner submits that yesterday petitioner was released on 5 pm, however, placed on suspension. The learned state counsel submits that petitioner was not arrested, he joined investigation. On query by the court, he seeks time to obtain instructions on whether the suspension order against the petitioner, in view of the high court's order, would be withdrawn. List tomorrow."The High Court passed the direction while considering an anticipatory bail application filed by KV Kuppam MLA "Poovai" Jagan Moorthy in connection with an abduction case registered by the Thiruvallur Police Station based on a complaint by one Lakshmi.Lakshmi had alleged that her elder son had married a girl without the consent of the girl's family. Thereafter, the girl's family, with some miscreants, entered their house in search of her elder son. Since the elder son and his wife went into hiding, the miscreants abducted her younger son, aged 18.Lakshmi also alleged that her son was later dropped off near a hotel with injuries. It has been alleged that the young boy was dropped off in the official vehicle of the ADGP. It has also been alleged that the MLA had also conspired in the entire events.Justice P Velmurugan of the High Court directed the police to take action against the ADGP as per law. The court added that being a public servant, Jayaram was answerable to the public. The judge added that a strong message should go out to the public that no one was above law.Case Details: H.M.JAYARAM v. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE AND ANR|Diary No. 33224-2025

'Demoralising' : Supreme Court Questions Suspension Of Tamil Nadu ADGP Jayaram, Says HC Order For His Arrest Is 'Shocking'

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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