Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Mayor leans on United Democratic Front government circular to grant 6 months leave to councillor R. Sugathan who is jailed under KAAPA

BJP councillor in Thiruvananthapuram city Corporation R. Sugathan was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act and is currently lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur in Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb Amid vociferous protests from the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), a council meeting of the Thiruvananthapuram city Corporation on Friday (July 31, 2026) granted six months of leave to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), and currently lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur in Kerala.The leave application submitted through the Superintendent of the Viyyur Central Jail was put to vote and passed with 51 votes in the 101-member council. The number was achieved with the help of Independent councillor Sudheesh of the Poundkadavu ward as well as Mayor V.V. Rajesh's casting vote.Government circularThe Mayor said that the protesting UDF councillors should honour a circular issued by the UDF government on July 20, 2026 in response to Mr. Sugathan's leave application. Although the Home department rejected the application, it suggested that he can approach the Corporation council through the jail superintendent. If the application is passed in the council, his councillor post will be "safe," as per the circular read out by the Mayor.Even as the Mayor officially declared the granting of leave, the LDF and UDF councillors trooped out to the well holding placards and raising slogans.Presentation on new buildingJust before the Mayor read out the leave application, he called out an architect, who made a presentation on the proposed new building for the Corporation. Three floors of the proposed building with a design similar to a shopping mall are meant for commercial purposes.Following the presentation, BJP councillor V.G. Girikumar made a statement welcoming the move amid loud claps by the BJP councillors.Denied microphoneAlthough LDF Parliamentary Party leader S.P. Deepak rose to speak about the new building, the Mayor disallowed his request and asked the microphone operators to cut Mr. Deepak's microphone.The Mayor remained adamant on the stand that Mr. Sugathan's leave application be discussed first. Amid the protests, the council meeting soon came to and end with the Mayor declaring the passing of over 200 agenda items without any discussion. Published - July 31, 2026 04:05 pm IST