Thiruvananthapuram, July 31: The Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation on Friday approved a six-month leave of absence for BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who is currently lodged in Viyyur Central Jail after being detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The decision, taken during a council meeting, sparked heated exchanges and protests by the Opposition.
Mayor V. V. Rajesh said Sugathan’s leave application was approved by 51 votes. The proposal received the support of UDF rebel councillor Sudheesh and Independent councillor M. Radhakrishnan. With the votes evenly balanced, the Mayor exercised his casting vote in favour of the motion, ensuring that the leave request was passed.
The approval immediately triggered strong protests from the Opposition in the council. LDF councillors staged a demonstration in front of the Mayor’s dais, accusing the ruling side of setting an unhealthy precedent by granting extended leave to a councillor detained under the KAAPA law. The council proceedings witnessed tense scenes as members exchanged sharp arguments over the decision.
Sugathan represents the Vazhottukonam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and is currently in judicial custody at Viyyur Central Jail in connection with the preventive detention case.
His name had earlier figured in another legal controversy involving the civic body. The Kerala High Court had declared invalid the oath of office taken by 20 BJP councillors, including Sugathan, after they reportedly swore in the names of deities and martyrs instead of following the prescribed constitutional form. Following the court’s order, Sugathan retook the oath while lodged in Viyyur Central Jail, enabling him to continue as a councillor despite his incarceration.
The latest decision to grant him six months’ leave has once again brought the functioning of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation into the political spotlight, with the move expected to remain a subject of sharp debate between the ruling BJP and the Opposition in the coming days.
