CHENNAI — In an extraordinary turn of events, Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) HM Jayaram was arrested shortly after the Madras High Court passed strong observations in a teen abduction case. The arrest followed an anticipatory bail plea hearing for Puratchi Bharatham Party MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy, who is also an accused in the same case.
The court was informed that Moorthy had attempted to evade arrest and failed to cooperate with the investigation. Justice P Velmurugan, who presided over the case, ordered both the ADGP and the MLA to appear in court. The arrest of the senior police officer was ordered soon after, citing statements from already-arrested co-accused.
Political Escape Attempt Thwarted by Judiciary
According to the court proceedings, MLA Jagan Moorthy had tried to avoid police custody, prompting the judge to insist on his presence. When he eventually appeared, the court refrained from immediate arrest but warned of legal consequences if cooperation was not extended.
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Justice Velmurugan stated, “Since two of the accused had already been arrested, giving confession statement against the Additional Director General of Police… the Police is directed to secure and take action in the manner known to law.”
Media reports confirmed that ADGP Jayaram was taken into custody shortly after this directive.
The Crime: Teen Taken Over Inter-Family Marriage
The case stems from a complaint lodged by a woman named Lakshmi. Her elder son, aged 23, had reportedly eloped with and married a 21-year-old woman from Theni district. The woman’s family opposed the marriage and allegedly sought the help of former police constable Maheshwari and Vanaraja (the woman’s father) to annul the union.
When Lakshmi’s elder son could not be located, the group allegedly abducted her younger son, a teenager aged between 16–18 years, from their home. The youth was reportedly asleep on the terrace when he was forcibly taken by a group using two vehicles. Police later found that an official vehicle of the ADGP was used to drop the boy near a bus stand.
Five Arrested, MLA’s Role Under Scanner
So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including Maheshwari, Vanaraja, and an advocate named Sarathkumar—allegedly affiliated with MLA Moorthy’s party. Police have recovered ₹7.5 lakh in cash and stated that further investigation can only be completed through custodial interrogation.
The court was also informed that the ADGP’s official car was used during the abduction, driven by a constable, with Maheshwari and Vanaraja inside. The police had earlier attempted to arrest Moorthy from his residence on June 15, but were obstructed by nearly 2,000 party supporters, allowing the MLA to flee.
The case will next be heard on June 26.