In A First For Kerala, Jailed BJP Councillor Takes Oath Inside Prison
BJP councillor R. Sugathan became the first elected representative in Kerala to take his oath of office inside a prison. He remains in judicial custody under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, following a High Court directive.
Why it matters
The event underscores the intersection of legal detention and the constitutional rights of elected officials in India.
In an unprecedented ceremony, R Sugathan, BJP councillor of Kerala's Vazhottukonam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, took the oath of office inside Viyyur Central Prison on Monday.The oath was administered following a Kerala High Court directive, with Sugathan remaining in judicial custody under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, or KAAPA.Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh administered the oath in the library hall of the prison. Deputy Mayor PK Asha Nath, prison officials and other authorities were present. This is the first time in Kerala's history that an elected public representative has been sworn in inside a prison."We came to Thrissur to implement the direction of the honourable High Court. The High Court had ordered that Vazhottukonam ward councillor R Sugathan take oath again in the presence of officials from the corporation, the jail superintendent and the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram.
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