The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu government and questioned the Madras High Court’s directive to arrest Additional Director General of Police H M Jayaram in a kidnapping case. Describing the order as “shocking and demoralising,” the apex court sought an explanation for the officer’s suspension and asked the Kerala government to clarify whether it intended to revoke the order. “He is a very senior officer. Such orders are demoralising,” the bench remarked.Jayaram, a 1996-batch IPS officer, was arrested on Tuesday directly from the Madras high court premises on the orders of Justice P Velmurugan. The case involves the abduction of a 16-year-old boy, Indrachand, linked to his elder brother’s inter-caste marriage. The judge said Jayaram’s arrest was warranted after two accused in custody confessed to his alleged role in the abduction, including claims that he had provided his official vehicle for the operation.The high court had observed that all public servants must face the consequences of aiding a crime. “The court cannot give the privilege provided to a representative of the people (MLA) to the ADGP, who is a public servant,” Justice Velmurugan said. He allowed Jayaram the liberty to seek bail before the appropriate forum.Kidnapping case: SC calls Madras HC order to arrest ADGP ‘shocking’; pulls up Tamil Nadu govt over suspensionThe Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Madras govt over the arrest and suspension of senior IPS officer HM Jayaram in a kidnapping case. “These kinds of orders are shocking and demoralising,” the court said, on the state’s decision to arrest and suspend a serving Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).The bench, which sought an immediate explanation, asked the Madras government to clarify by Thursday whether it intended to withdraw Jayaram’s suspension. “He is a very senior officer. Such orders are demoralising,” the Supreme Court noted. The Tamil Nadu government responded that Jayaram had already been released on Tuesday evening following his arrest under the Madras High Court’s directive.Jayaram, a 1996-batch IPS officer, was arrested on Tuesday directly from the Madras high court premises on the orders of Justice P Velmurugan. The case involves the abduction of a 16-year-old boy, Indrachand, linked to his elder brother’s inter-caste marriage. The judge said Jayaram’s arrest was warranted after two accused in custody confessed to his alleged role in the abduction, including claims that he had provided his official vehicle for the operation.The high court had observed that all public servants must face the consequences of aiding a crime. “The court cannot give the privilege provided to a representative of the people (MLA) to the ADGP, who is a public servant,” Justice Velmurugan said. He allowed Jayaram the liberty to seek bail before the appropriate forum.