Justice P. Velmurugan ordered the immediate arrest of H. M. Jayaram, a 1996-batch IPS officer, after hearing revelations linking him to the May 10 kidnapping of the boy, Indrachand, from Kalambakkam. The case stems from an inter-caste marriage that has triggered political and social ripples across the state.
Jayaram, who was allegedly involved in orchestrating the abduction, was remanded in judicial custody on the spot, a rare moment in Tamil Nadu’s judicial history, underscoring the severity of the court’s stance against abuse of power.
Meanwhile, K. V. Kuppam MLA Poovai Jagan Moorthy, who also appeared in court as per summons, was spared arrest but was harshly reprimanded for obstructing the investigation. The judge directed him to appear before the investigating officer alone and fully cooperate. “The court cannot extend the privilege accorded to an elected representative to a public servant like an ADGP,” the judge said sternly. “All public servants must understand the consequences of aiding a crime.”
Inter-caste marriage sparks retaliation plot
The abduction is believed to be the fallout of a defiant love story. Indrachand’s older brother, Dhanush (23), had married Vijaya Sri (21), reportedly against the wishes of her family. The couple had met on social media and eloped, marrying on April 15. Her relatives, unable to locate the couple, allegedly sought the help of politically connected figures, including Jagan Moorthy, to track them down.
According to the investigation, Jayaram lent his official police vehicle for the abduction mission. He was reportedly accompanied by Maheshwari, a former police inspector who had recently resigned, and Sarath, an advocate. Together with Vijaya Sri’s relatives, they visited Dhanush’s residence and forcibly took away his younger brother, claiming they only wanted to “question” him.
Both the ex-inspector and the lawyer have already been arrested along with Vijaya Sri’s family members. However, it was confessions from two of the arrested accused that directly implicated Jayaram, prompting the court to take action.
A Courtroom Turns Battlefield
What followed in the courtroom was high-stakes legal theatre. While the MLA sought anticipatory bail, the judge didn’t mince words. He accused the politician of blocking the police with a crowd of party cadres, instead of cooperating with the probe. “You are an MLA. Why are you afraid to go alone to the inquiry?” Justice Velmurugan asked pointedly.
In a rare moment of judicial restraint coupled with critique, the judge allowed Jagan Moorthy to avoid arrest but warned that the public’s trust in elected representatives must not be eroded by acts of obstruction. “It is out of respect for the people who voted you to power that we have not ordered your arrest,” he said.
As Jayaram was led away from the court in custody, the symbolic weight of the moment—an officer of his rank being arrested on court premises—was not lost on those present. This case, already charged with caste tension, political influence, and power misuse, now stands as a stunning reminder of how deeply rooted interests can collide with the rule of law.
The court will resume hearing the case in the coming days.