Kerala govt suspends LSG official over irregularities in jailed BJP councillor's leave file

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has suspended a senior official of the Local Self Government Department pending an inquiry into alleged irregularities in handling a file related to granting leave to a BJP councillor detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), according to an official order.

The suspended officer, Dr Chithra P Arunima, a Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) officer serving as Under Secretary in the department, is accused of making unauthorised changes and additions to an official file to facilitate benefits allegedly not permissible under the law for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R Sugathan.

Sugathan, a BJP councillor representing the Vazhottukonam ward, is currently under preventive detention under KAAPA.

According to the suspension order issued late Monday, Arunima allegedly altered the file with malafide intent to extend benefits to the detained councillor. The government has accused her of serious misconduct, abuse of official authority and violating service conduct rules.

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The order stated that the original file contained notes indicating there was no legal provision to grant escort parole to a person detained under KAAPA. However, the officer is alleged to have modified the file despite directions issued by both the Local Self Government Minister and the department secretary, enabling the detainee to avail of the benefit.

The government said the alleged actions amounted to a grave breach of official procedures, misuse of authority and had adversely affected the image of the administration.

Invoking the applicable service rules, the government placed Arunima under suspension with immediate effect while a detailed inquiry is conducted.

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Official sources said Arunima is the first Kerala Administrative Service officer to face suspension since the KAS was introduced in 2018.

The suspension comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the grant of six months' leave to Sugathan. The proposal was approved during a heated Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council meeting on Friday with the support of BJP councillors and an Independent member. Mayor V V Rajesh used his casting vote to clear the proposal after it secured the backing of 51 members in the 101-member council.

Defending the decision, the mayor said a Home Department circular permitted Sugathan to retain his councillor post if the council approved his leave application.

The matter soon sparked a political controversy, prompting Local Self Government Minister K M Shaji to announce on Sunday that the government was closely examining how the communication permitting the benefit had been issued.

Describing the extension of such a benefit to a person under preventive detention as a serious issue, the minister said both the department and its secretary had recommended against granting the relief and assured that appropriate action would be taken after examining the matter. (PTI)