BJP Councillor In Kerala Takes Oath In Central Jail
The oath-taking happened a day after the Kerala High Court directed the state to arrange the ceremony inside the prison. Sugathan was among 20 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation whose oaths were declared invalid by the Kerala High Court on June 24
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A BJP councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation took his oath of office at Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur district, Kerala.
The oath was taken by BJP's R Sugathan, who is detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and faces over 19 criminal cases, including attempted murder. This is perhaps the first time an oath ceremony for a councillor has taken place inside a central jail in Kerala.
Complying with the High Court's order, Sugathan took the oath in the name of God. Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh, the corporation secretary, and officials from the mayor's office attended the ceremony.
The oath-taking happened a day after the Kerala High Court directed the state to arrange the ceremony inside the prison. Sugathan was among 20 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation whose oaths were declared invalid by the Kerala High Court on June 24. These councillors, elected in the 2025 local body polls, had taken their oaths in the name of Mother India, local deities, or martyrs of organisations, in violation of the Kerala Municipality Act.
Justice P V Kunhikrishnan directed all 20 councillors to retake the oath within four weeks. The order referenced Section 152 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and Section 143 of the Kerala Municipality Act, which require elected members to take the oath either in the name of God or by solemn affirmation, without elaboration.
A day after the High Court’s directive, 19 BJP councillors retook the oath at the Thiruvananthapuram corporation office. However, Sugathan could not do so as he was in prison. The High Court allowed Sugathan to retake the oath, noting that “extraordinary situations call for extraordinary decisions.” It also observed that if Sugathan could not take the oath, the ruling front in the corporation would lose its majority, adding that the people’s mandate must be respected in a democracy.
Last year, the BJP made history by winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The BJP-led NDA secured 50 of the 101 wards, while the LDF, after over forty years in power, was reduced to just 29 councillors. The UDF won 19 seats, and two independents also claimed victories.
