Chennai: In a development that has rocked the Tamil Nadu police and political establishment, Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police) H M Jayaram was arrested on Monday on the orders of the Madras High Court in connection with an abduction case in which Kilvaithinakuppam MLA ‘Poovai’ M. Jagan Moorthy is also a prime suspect. The legislator was elected on an AIADMK ticket in 2021.
Justice P. Velmurugan of the Madras High Court ordered the Tiruvallur district police to act in accordance with the law against ADGP Jayaram, a 1996-batch IPS officer, following a startling revelation in court that he was directly linked to the case.
The abduction case stemmed from a complaint lodged by a woman, Lakshmi, whose elder son married a woman from Theni district in May 2025 through a “self-respect marriage.” Disapproving of the alliance, the woman’s father, Vanaraja, allegedly conspired to end the marriage with the help of Maheshwari, a former woman police constable dismissed from service. She reportedly reached out to ADGP Jayaram, who then reportedly involved MLA Jagan Moorthy in the matter.
According to Additional Public Prosecutor A. Damodaran, the MLA’s “henchmen” went to Lakshmi’s home to abduct her 22-year-old son. When he was not present, they allegedly abducted her 18-year-old younger son, who was sleeping on the terrace. The youth was taken away in two vehicles, one of which was later revealed to be the official car of the ADGP. Shockingly, the boy was later dropped near a bus stand using the same government vehicle, driven by a constable to avoid detection.
The police have already arrested five individuals in the case, including Maheshwari, Vanaraja, and advocate Sarathkumar of the Puratchi Bharatham party, which is headed by the MLA. The APP informed the court that ₹7.5 lakh had been recovered so far and custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
The court expressed sharp disapproval of MLA Jagan Moorthy, who, despite being summoned for inquiry, allegedly mobilised nearly 2,000 supporters to block police access. Justice Velmurugan condemned the act, stating such behaviour obstructs lawful duties and warrants charges of criminal conspiracy and abetment against every person involved in hindering the police.
When the anticipatory bail plea of the MLA was heard earlier in the day, his senior counsel claimed the legislator was innocent and being targeted unfairly. However, the court passed interim orders stating the MLA must cooperate fully with the investigation. A final decision on his bail plea will be taken on June 26.
In a dramatic afternoon court session, both the ADGP and the MLA appeared before the judge. Justice Velmurugan reminded the MLA of his duty to the electorate and criticised him for behaving like a parallel power centre. “You are an MLA. Go and answer the questions they want to ask,” the judge said, pointing out that a public representative must uphold the law, not subvert it.
Rejecting the ADGP’s request to avoid arrest in favour of voluntary cooperation, the judge asserted that bureaucrats cannot be treated on par with elected representatives. The court ordered Jayaram’s immediate arrest.
