Court grants bail to BJP councillor in two cases
A magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram has granted bail to BJP councillor R. Sugathan in two criminal cases. Despite this, he remains in custody due to his ongoing preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of local political representation and the application of stringent preventive detention laws in India.
A magistrate court here on Wednesday granted bail to BJP councillor R. Sugathan in two criminal cases registered at the Vattiyurkavu Police Station.
Nedumangad Judicial Second Class Magistrate Court-II granted the bail. The councillor will, however, remain in custody as he is presently detained under the provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). He is lodged at the Viyyur Central Prison.
The two cases in which bail was granted include one alleging that the accused assaulted police officers, who had arrived to arrest him while he was allegedly absconding in connection with the KAAPA proceedings. The second case relates to a clash during a temple festival, in which he is accused of attacking a person.
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