Madras HC denies anticipatory bail to MLA Jagan in teen abduction case

Says for fair probe, petitioner needs to be secured and subjected to custodial interrogation

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

FINDING prima facie materials to establish his role in the abduction of a boy from Tiruvallur, the Madras High Court on Friday refused to grant anticipatory bail to KV Kuppam MLA and leader of Puratchi Bharatham party 'Poovai' M Jagan Moorthy. Justice G Jayachandran said the court has arrived at an irresistible conclusion that for a fair investigation and fearless trial, the petitioner needs to be secured and subjected to custodial interrogation.

The teenager was allegedly abducted as his brother had married a girl outside his caste from an affluent family in Theni. "The call details collected show that the petitioner was in touch with ADGP HM Jayaram and other persons. These materials prima facie are sufficient to hold that the petitioner is a party to the alleged conspiracy," the judge said in the order.