Loading dispatches...
← Return to NewsroomPolitics
KAAPA accused BJP councillor R. Sugathan granted one-day interim bail for swearing-in
Breaking
Zelensky should be asked what he knew about government corruption, sacked minister tells BBC
The Kerala HC has dismissed a petition filed by the five persons accused in the 2018 murder of SFI leader Abhimanyu near the Maharajas College campus, seeking to keep the trial in abeyance until the police completes the probe against the other accused persons and files the chargesheet against them. The petitioners approached the HC, challenging an order of the Ernakulam Sessions Court that had rejected a similar plea they filed to defer the trial.While dismissing their petition on Tuesday, a Bench of Justice G. Girish held that there was no legal basis to stay the trial, merely because the investigation against another set of accused, who reportedly harboured the prime accused after the crime, is still pending. While the allegations against the petitioners relate to the alleged criminal conspiracy, the fatal attack on Abhimanyu and assaults on other SFI activists on July 2, 2018, those against the remaining accused were confined to harbouring the offenders and helping them evade arrest. The pending investigation would thus not prejudice the ongoing trial.The demand of the petitioners to keep the trial in abeyance, pending completion of the investigation against the remaining accused, can only be considered as an attempt to procrastinate the trial. Moreover, the HC had earlier directed the Sessions Court to dispose of the trial within nine months, after Abhimanyu’s mother filed a petition seeking speedy disposal of the case. The trial court is thus bound to comply with that direction, the HC added, thus clearing the way for the Sessions Court to proceed with the trial.The prosecution submitted that the accused, who were Campus Front activists, conspired to facilitate the organisation’s entry into the Maharaja’s College campus, by unleashing violence against SFI activists. Abhimanyu, who was a degree student then, had been stabbed to death during the attack, while several other students sustained injuries. Those who approached the HC, challenging an order of the Sessions Court were Muhammed J.I., Arif Bin Salim, Bilal Saji, Farokh Amani and Rajeeb P.M. Published - July 14, 2026 08:27 pm IST
A Nedumangad court on Thursday granted an interim bail of one day to Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R. Sugathan to allow him to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The bail will be applicable from 5 p.m. on July 13 to 9 p.m. on July 14. However, a final call on his swearing-in will be taken only after the Kerala High Court’s verdict on his bail plea in the case under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).Mr. Sugathan was among the 20 BJP councillors whom the High Court had ordered to retake their oaths for violating the norms in their original swearing-in by using the names of local deities. As per the June 24 order, the repeat swearing-in had to be conducted within four weeks. While the 19 other councillors took a repeat swearing-in on the same day, Mr. Sugathan could not do the same as he was lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur in the KAAPA case.On Wednesday (July 8, 2026), the KAAPA advisory board upheld his six-month preventive detention under KAAPA. The board rejected his plea to revoke the detention order, and confirmed that he would remain in custody for the full six-month period.The accused is listed on the Vattiyurkavu police’s rowdy history sheet and is facing 19 criminal cases registered in the Vattiyurkavu and Nedumangad police stations over the years. These include four cases of attempted murder, along with offences including rioting, causing hurt and criminal intimidation.The BJP, which has 50 members in the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council, achieved majority with the support of one Independent councillor. With doubts still remaining on whether Mr. Sugathan will be able to take part in the swearing-in ceremony and a possible disqualification owing to this, the BJP faces the threat of losing its majority in the council. Published - July 09, 2026 04:28 pm IST
Discussion (0)