'Looking into it': Kerala Minister K M Shaji on leave circular row involving detained BJP councillor

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister for Local Self Governments K M Shaji on Sunday said the department was closely examining the controversy surrounding a purported government circular that would allow BJP councillor R Sugathan, who is under preventive detention, to retain his council membership by availing leave.

The circular, reportedly issued by the Home Department, stated that Sugathan could continue as a councillor if he submitted a leave application to the council and it received approval.

Calling the matter serious, Shaji said granting such relief to a person facing criminal charges warranted careful scrutiny.

"We are taking it seriously and looking into it. A decision will be taken by Monday," he told a television channel.

The minister said he and the department secretary had opposed granting the relief.

"However, an 'unofficial report' was added on top of our report without our knowledge. That was not the correct procedure. If anything had to be added, the file should have been sent back to us. Instead, it went directly to the Home Department. We will examine what happened and take appropriate action," he said.

According to media reports, the "unofficial report" was allegedly inserted by another official in the Local Self Governments Department.

Shaji said the government would also consider what corrective measures could be taken in the matter.

Also read: Chaos in TVM Corporation council as leave approved for jailed BJP councillor  

Earlier on Sunday, State Health Minister K Muraleedharan said Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had ordered an inquiry after it emerged that the circular had allegedly been issued without his knowledge.

On Saturday, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the government's decision to facilitate six months' leave for the jailed BJP councillor, calling the Home Department's circular "strange".

He further alleged that the decision was aimed at protecting the councillor and formed part of a wider "deal" intended to safeguard the interests of the RSS and the BJP. (PTI)