The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to Tamil Nadu MLA M Jagan Moorthy in connection with an alleged kidnapping case, directing that he be released on a personal bond if arrested, and restrained from influencing the investigation.
A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice to the Tamil Nadu Police on Moorthy’s appeal against a June 27 order of the Madras High Court that denied him anticipatory bail. The bench ordered that in the event of his arrest in the case registered at Thiruvalangadu Police Station, he be released on a personal bond of ₹25,000, subject to his cooperation with the investigation and a commitment to not threaten witnesses or tamper with evidence.
Moorthy, also known as “Poovai” Jagan Moorthy, is the MLA from K V Kuppam constituency and the president of the Puratchi Bharatham party, which is allied with the opposition AIADMK.
He approached the top court contending that he was falsely implicated based solely on the confession of a co-accused, without any direct or corroborative evidence linking him to the offence. Moorthy alleged that the case was politically motivated and aimed at damaging his public image.
The case stems from a complex family dispute involving an inter-caste marriage. According to the prosecution, the complainant’s elder son had married a woman from Theni district against her family’s wishes. The two reportedly met on social media and wed on April 15.
The woman’s father allegedly conspired with Moorthy and Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) H M Jayaram to locate the couple. A gang then allegedly abducted the complainant’s younger son from her home during the early hours of June 7.
The FIR states that following the mother’s complaint, police intensified their search efforts. The boy was then reportedly released near the Perambakkam bus stand just hours later—in the official vehicle of the ADGP—in a purported attempt to avoid police scrutiny.
The Madras High Court had declined anticipatory bail for Moorthy, observing there was “prima facie material” to proceed against him. The Supreme Court’s interim relief now puts a temporary hold on his arrest while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
