H.M. Jayaram coming out of the
Thiruvalangadu police station on Tuesday after a lengthy interrogation.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
Senior IPS officer and Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) H.M. Jayaram was let off on Tuesday after being interrogated for 20 hours in the custody of the Thiruvalangadu police in Tiruvallur district over his involvement in the alleged abduction of an 18-year-old boy. He was placed under suspension in the morning.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear on Wednesday a petition filed by Mr. Jayaram challenging his arrest.
On Monday evening, Mr. Jayaram was picked up by the police while he was leaving the Madras High Court where he had appeared on a direction from the court. The court had heard the anticipatory bail petition filed by Puratchi Bharatham leader and MLA ‘Poovai’ M. Jagan Moorthy, who is also a suspect in the case.
The case against the police officer relates to abetting the abduction by providing his official car to the prime accused. The Thiruvalangadu police started the investigation on a complaint from Lakshmi, 44, of Kalambakkam in the Thiruvalangadu taluk. She alleged that a group of persons from Theni had abducted her son on May 6.
Dhanush, working in a private company in Chennai, fell in love with Vijaya Sri, 21, of Theni. Despite resistance from her family, she married him. On information, her family rushed to the house of Dhanush to separate the couple. As they did not find Dhanush there, they picked up his younger brother.
The Thiruvalangadu police arrested five persons from Theni: the girl’s father, Vanaraja, 55; Manikandan, 46; Ganeshan, 47; Sarathkumar; and retired police officer Maheshwari. During interrogation, they said they had sought the assistance of Mr. Jagan Moorthy, who ordered the abduction of the boy. Mr. Jayaram gave his official car to the abductors, the police said.
On Monday evening, Mr. Jayaram was taken to the Thiruvalangadu police station and kept there until 2 a.m. Tuesday. Subsequently. He was taken to the office of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruttani. On Tuesday morning, Mr. Jagan Moorthy appeared before the investigation officer at the police station as directed by the court. The interrogation lasted till dusk.
In the afternoon, Mr. Jayaram was brought back to the police station and interrogated till the evening. Sources said Mr. Jayaram was questioned about his alleged links and interaction with those accused of the abduction. His statement was recorded. He was let off after he gave a written assurance that he would appear for inquiry as and when the investigation officer summoned him.
Hearing on June 18
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to urgently hear on June 18 a petition filed by Mr. Jayaram challenging his arrest. The case is listed before a Vacation Bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.
Mr. Jayaram, represented by advocates Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Ram Shanker, has sought an interim stay on the Madras High Court’s June 16 ruling, ordering his arrest.
The senior police officer, who was taken into custody on the High Court premises minutes after the order, has sought regular bail in the crime registered at the Thiruvalangadu police station. He argued that his arrest was a “gross violation of the principles of natural justice” as he had neither been named as a party in the proceedings nor afforded an opportunity to present his case.
The petition said the High Court had failed to note that there were no extraordinary circumstances warranting his immediate detention or custodial interrogation. The arrest on the orders of the High Court had already prejudiced the investigation.
“The High Court order disregards the foundational principles of criminal jurisprudence, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty… The petitioner’s unblemished track record as a responsible police officer for the past 28 years is at stake,” the petition said.
Mr. Jayaram hinted at professional jealousy behind the turn of events.
Published – June 17, 2025 11:08 pm IST
