Thiruvananthapuram: Video footage of the arrest of BJP councillor R. Sugathan in Thiruvananthapuram has surfaced, appearing to support police claims that officers faced resistance while carrying out a detention order under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).

The footage emerged hours after Sugathan and his family accused the police of assault, excessive force and misconduct during a late-night operation at his Vattiyoorkavu residence on Tuesday.

Sugathan, the councillor representing the Vazhottukonam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was taken into custody after the Kerala High Court denied his anticipatory bail plea in a case related to an alleged attempted murder during a temple festival last month.

Police said they went to his residence after receiving information that he was present there and moved to execute the detention order. Officers claimed the operation was met with resistance from family members and supporters, leading to a confrontation that culminated in police firing warning shots into the air.

Police say footage shows attempts to obstruct arrest

According to police, the video shows officers repeatedly informing those present that Sugathan was being taken into custody under a court order.

The visuals also reportedly show family members and others attempting to prevent officers from carrying out the arrest.

Police maintained that the footage supports their version of events and contradicts allegations that officers acted unlawfully during the operation.

The video is said to show Sugathan resisting arrest while police personnel attempted to escort him from the house. It also captures a crowd gathering outside the residence after officers brought him out, police said.

According to officers, Sugathan resisted being placed inside a police vehicle, while some supporters allegedly shouted at police personnel and issued threats.

Police said they fired into the air after tensions escalated, with the aim of dispersing the crowd and preventing the situation from deteriorating further.

Sugathan and several protesters were later removed from the area in a police vehicle. He was subsequently taken for a medical examination before being shifted to jail.

Family alleges assault and misconduct by police

Following the arrest, Sugathan’s wife Aswathy accused police of using force during the operation.

She alleged that officers entered the house without the presence of women police personnel, assaulted her and frightened their children.

Aswathy also claimed that police attempted to take her into custody and pushed their eight-year-old child during the commotion.

Speaking to reporters after being taken for medical examination, Sugathan denied that he had been absconding.

He said he had not appeared before investigators because he was undergoing treatment for chickenpox.

“The police officers who came to the house assaulted my wife and child. They fired shots at the house,” he alleged.

Sugathan further claimed that officers dragged him along the floor, physically assaulted him and caused injuries.

Fresh case registered over alleged attack on police

Meanwhile, police have registered a fresh case against Sugathan and four others in connection with the events surrounding the arrest.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Sugathan allegedly pushed and attempted to assault the Vattiyoorkavu Station House Officer and a sub-inspector who were part of the arrest team.

The FIR states that Sugathan and his associates obstructed police officers from performing their official duties and assaulted personnel during the operation.

It further alleges that the sub-inspector was pinned against a wall and attacked.

Police said Vattiyoorkavu Circle Inspector Vipin and Sub-Inspector Abhijith sustained injuries during the confrontation.

Commissioner says investigation is continuing

City Police Commissioner K. Karthik said Sugathan had been arrested and remanded under Section 3 of the KAAPA on the basis of an order issued by the district collector.

“The preliminary information is that police fired into the air after Sugathan’s supporters and party workers created a law and order situation at the spot. The investigation is continuing,” he said.

The commissioner added that further action against Sugathan could follow depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.