BJP councillor held amid drama, cop’s warning fire in Kerala capital

Thiruvananthapuram: Dramatic scenes unfolded at Vazhottukonam in Vattiyoorkavu around 10.30pm on Tuesday when police arrived to arrest BJP’s ward councillor R Sugathan in connection with an attempt-to-murder case, leading to a tense confrontation between police personnel and party workers.

Sugathan is an accused in a case related to a clash that allegedly broke out during a temple festival in the area. Police had registered an attempt-to-murder case against him and initiated legal proceedings. After the high court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea, police moved to take him into custody.

A police officer said a team led by Vattiyoorkavu SHO Vipin A C reached Sugathan’s residence at Vazhottukonam to execute the arrest. However, BJP workers and local functionaries gathered at the spot and allegedly obstructed the police action, resulting in a heated standoff.

As tension escalated, the SHO fired one warning shot into the air to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Police managed to arrest Sugathan and shift him from the area amid tight security. He was first taken for a medical examination at the general hospital and was later brought to the police station for further proceedings.

Eyewitnesses described the developments as highly dramatic, with sloganeering and chaotic scenes unfolding outside the councillor’s residence. Videos of the confrontation quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention across the capital city.

Police officials maintained that the warning shot was fired only after officers faced resistance while attempting to execute a lawful arrest. The incident has since triggered a political row, with BJP functionaries questioning the police action while law enforcement authorities defended the operation as necessary to enforce the court process and maintain public order.

Further investigation into the attempt-to-murder case is under way.