SC questions TN govt over suspension of ADGP in kidnapping case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Tamil Nadu government over the suspension of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) HM Jayaram, who was ordered to be taken into custody by the Madras High Court in connection with a kidnapping case.

A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan was informed by the state government's counsel that Jayaram had been taken into custody and released on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Jayaram’s counsel told the court that although the officer was released by the police, the state government subsequently placed him under suspension. The bench expressed concern over the decision, stating, “He is a senior police officer. Where was the requirement for you to put him under suspension? These kinds of orders are shocking and demoralising.” The court directed the Tamil Nadu government to seek instructions and report back by Thursday on the possibility of revoking the suspension.

Jayaram has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court’s June 16 directive to secure his custody in the case. On Tuesday, the top court agreed to hear his plea against the arrest order.

His lawyer argued that the High Court’s directive was issued solely on the basis of a confessional statement. In his petition, filed through advocate Rajesh Singh Chauhan, Jayaram contended that the order was passed without assigning detailed reasons and relied only on purported statements made by two co-accused.

With PTI inputs