**Supreme Court Questions Tamil Nadu Government Over ADGP Suspension**
The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns regarding the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to suspend Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) HM Jayaram, who was arrested in connection with a kidnapping case involving a 16-year-old. This inquiry came during the hearing of a petition challenging a directive from the Madras High Court that led to Jayaram’s arrest.
The Supreme Court expressed astonishment at the High Court’s order and questioned the rationale behind the state government’s suspension of the ADGP. The court directed the state police to provide a formal response regarding the suspension and suggested that it be revoked, noting that Jayaram had been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Jayaram’s counsel informed the court that the officer had been in custody for 24 hours and was released the previous day, only to be placed on suspension. The state’s counsel argued that the suspension was necessary to ensure Jayaram’s participation in the investigation. However, the bench, comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan, challenged this reasoning, emphasizing that a senior officer should not be suspended while actively engaging in the probe.
Justice Bhuyan remarked, “He is a senior police officer; you can’t do this! This is very demoralizing.” The bench further instructed the state government to review the suspension of an officer with 28 years of service and consider whether it should be lifted.
The case is set to be revisited in court tomorrow, as the Supreme Court continues to scrutinize the actions of the Tamil Nadu government in this matter.
**FAQ**
*Why was ADGP HM Jayaram suspended?*
ADGP HM Jayaram was suspended by the Tamil Nadu government following his arrest in connection with a kidnapping case. However, the Supreme Court has questioned the validity of this suspension, given that he was cooperating with the investigation.