BJP councillor’s arrest under Kaapa triggers political controversy

Thiruvananthapuram: The arrest of BJP councillor R Sugathan under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kapaa) has triggered a major political controversy in the state capital, with both the CPM and Congress demanding his disqualification from the Thiruvananthapuram corporation council.

Meanwhile, Sugathan was shifted from Poojappura central prison to Viyyur central prison on Thursday, where a special block has been designated for detainees booked under Kaapa. His arrest, which reportedly involved police firing warning shots into the air, had drawn significant political attention.

Stepping up pressure on the BJP, the CPM conducted a protest march to the corporation headquarters, demanding Sugathan’s resignation and removal from office. The party has announced further agitations on June 13 and 15. The Congress, meanwhile, has sought an emergency meeting of the corporation council to discuss the issue.

The controversy has also focused on Sugathan’s status as a councillor. Municipal regulations provide for the disqualification of councillors who remain absent from three consecutive council meetings without approved leave. Sugathan has already missed two meetings since being named an accused in an attempted murder case. However, the BJP maintains that he had submitted leave applications to the mayor on two occasions.

Adding to the dispute, opposition parties have questioned mayor V V Rajesh’s claim that the corporation had not been informed by police about Sugathan’s involvement in Kaapa proceedings. Records indicate that Sugathan had previously been booked under the preventive detention law in 2023 and again in 2025. The latest Kaapa order was reportedly issued a day before his recent arrest.

Police documents that have surfaced in the public domain show that Sugathan was first subjected to Kaapa proceedings in 2023, when he was required to report regularly at a police station for six months. A similar action was initiated in 2025, although the reporting requirement was relaxed after four months.

According to available records, Sugathan has been named as an accused in seven criminal cases between 2019 and 2026, including three attempted murder cases. The revelations have intensified calls from opposition parties for immediate action, placing the BJP and the corporation administration under increasing scrutiny.