Exceptional Ruling by Kerala High Court
In a remarkable turn of events, the Kerala High Court has granted permission to R. Sugathan, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor, to take his oath of office from within the confines of the Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur. This extraordinary decision comes as Sugathan is currently under six-month preventive detention pursuant to the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
Arrangements for the Oath-Taking Ceremony
The oath is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and will be administered by the Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The Superintendent of Viyyur Central Prison has been tasked with making the necessary arrangements for this ceremony. Furthermore, the court has instructed that accredited media personnel be allowed to attend and cover the event.
Sugathan’s situation is unique due to his detention at the time his fellow councillors were instructed to retake their oaths. This directive came after it was found that they had violated procedure by invoking local deities during the original oath-taking ceremony. While 19 councillors complied with the retake order, Sugathan’s detention prevented him from doing so.
Criminal Cases Against Sugathan
The police have registered a total of 19 criminal cases against Sugathan in the Vattiyurkavu and Nedumangad police stations. These cases encompass a range of serious offences, including attempted murder, rioting, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt. The complexity of Sugathan’s legal situation underscores the significance of the High Court’s decision to allow him to take his oath despite his detention.
Source: Original Article
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