KAAPA accused BJP councillor R. Sugathan granted one-day interim bail for swearing-in
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
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