Thiruvananthapuram: High drama unfolded at the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation council meeting on Friday as opposition members staged intense protests against the approval of a six-month leave application for BJP councillor R Sugathan, who is currently incarcerated under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).

The leave proposal for the Vazhottukonam ward representative cleared the council after Mayor V V Rajesh broke a tie by casting his decisive vote. The motion secured the support of 51 members in the 101-member civic body, backed by ruling BJP councillors and Independent member Sudheesh.

UDF and LDF lead uproar inside council

Protesting Opposition members from both the UDF and LDF stormed the Mayor's podium, shouting slogans against the ruling front and accusing them of using civic procedures to shield a councillor detained under KAAPA.

Calling the move unconstitutional and unethical, UDF leader K S Sabarinadhan challenged the legal basis of the decision, asking Mayor Rajesh to cite the exact provision in the Kerala Municipality Act that permits granting leave to an individual held under preventive detention. LDF parliamentary party leader S P Deepak condemned the action as anti-democratic and declared that the opposition would initiate legal proceedings to challenge the decision in court.

Mayor defends decision

In a press conference held after the session, Mayor V V Rajesh defended the move, stating that the leave application was processed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act.

“The application received the support of the ruling front and independent councillor Sudheesh,” Mayor Rajesh stated, adding that he exercised his casting vote because the Mayor carries an obligation to safeguard the elected representation of a council member.

Mayor Rajesh explained that the Home Department had issued a circular clarifying that an incarcerated representative can retain their council membership if a formal leave application is submitted to and approved by the body. According to the Mayor, Sugathan sent his leave request through the Superintendent of Viyyur Jail, who dispatched it to the Corporation through official postal channels.

Had the leave not been sanctioned during Friday's meeting, Sugathan would have faced immediate disqualification for prolonged absence.

Background of the arrest

Sugathan, who faces multiple criminal charges, was arrested by the police last month under KAAPA provisions following a tense standoff at his residence in the capital city. Police were forced to fire warning shots in the air to control a hostile crowd and execute the arrest after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in connection with a temple festival assault case.

The ruling BJP gained control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation following the 2025 local body elections after emerging as the single largest party with 50 seats. 
PTI