Kerala BJP councillor detained under KAAPA retakes oath inside prison in unprecedented move
In an unprecedented move, Kerala BJP councillor R. Sugathan took his official oath of office while detained inside Viyyur Central Jail. The ceremony was conducted under strict security following a specific directive from the Kerala High Court.
The Kerala High Court granted permission for R. Sugathan, a BJP councillor facing detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, to be sworn in from within prison walls. This marks a rare legal and administrative event in the state's local governance history, necessitated by his inability to attend the official ceremony at the council office due to his detention status.
Sub-Collector and other local officials coordinated the proceedings within the jail premises to ensure all constitutional requirements were satisfied. While the legal pathway for his swearing-in was cleared by the judiciary, the event has triggered a significant political controversy regarding the propriety of allowing a KAAPA detainee to hold public office.
Critics has raised concerns over the precedent this sets for local administration, while the BJP leadership maintains that the democratic mandate must be respected despite the ongoing legal proceedings. The oath-taking ceremony was conducted behind closed doors with limited access to maintain the security protocols of the Viyyur Central Jail facility.
Source: Kerala High Court and Viyyur Jail Administration.
