Kerala High Court Quashes KAAPA Detention Of Thiruvananthapuram BJP Councillor
Kerala High Court quashed the KAAPA detention of Thiruvananthapuram BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who had been held at Viyyur Central Prison since June.
The Kerala High Court has quashed the preventive detention order issued under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) against Thiruvananthapuram Corporation BJP councillor R. Sugathan.
The court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by Sugathan’s wife, G. R. Awathy. Sugathan, who represents the Vazhottukonam ward, had been lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur since June after being detained under KAAPA.
His impending release comes amid allegations by opposition LDF members that forged signatures were entered into corporation records to show Sugathan had attended council meetings while on the run. The alleged manipulation was reportedly aimed at preventing his disqualification as a councillor.
Under municipal law, a councillor can face disqualification for being absent from three consecutive council meetings without the required permission. Sugathan had been absent from the meetings while absconding prior to his arrest.
The LDF has alleged that signatures were affixed in the corporation minutes to falsely record his attendance. The BJP, which has a wafer-thin majority in the corporation, is wary of Sugathan's disqualification. Any such development could plunge the BJP into crisis, even though they have the support of an independent councillor.
