Thrissur, 14 July (H.S.):BJP councillor R. Sugathan was sworn in once again as a member of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Tuesday, with the oath-taking ceremony taking place inside Viyyur Central Jail, where he is currently lodged under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
The swearing-in was conducted in the prison's central hall by Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh. Sugathan took the oath in the name of God, in accordance with the prescribed legal format. A simple dais was arranged in the jail's library hall, where the Mayor, the Corporation Secretary, and Rajesh Kumar, the prison official in charge serving as Jail Superintendent, were present for the ceremony.
Sugathan represents the Vazhottukonam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. He is currently detained under the KAAPA law, which prevented his release despite obtaining temporary bail in two separate criminal cases, including an attempted murder case and another involving the alleged assault of police personnel. The Nedumangad court had granted him one day's bail in those cases, but his preventive detention under KAAPA meant he could not be released from prison.
With the statutory deadline for taking the oath nearing expiry, Sugathan risked losing his councillor's seat if he failed to complete the formalities within the prescribed period. He subsequently approached the court seeking permission to take the oath while remaining in custody. The court allowed the request, enabling the civic oath to be administered inside the prison.
The development also follows a recent Kerala High Court ruling that had invalidated the election of Sugathan and several other councillors after they took their original oath in the names of Hindu deities and martyrs instead of following the legally mandated wording. The High Court later permitted them to retake the oath in the prescribed constitutional form.
Sugathan's renewed swearing-in provides relief to the BJP-led front in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation by ensuring his continued membership in the civic body.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
