Thiruvananthapuram Corporation BJP councilor R. Sugathan taken into police custody in temple festival attack case

A local court in Nedumangadu, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday remanded Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councilor and BJP leader R. Sugathan to police custody in connection with an alleged attack that took place at a temple festival recently.

The court granted police custody till 5.30pm on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) after considering the investigation team’s request to recover the weapon allegedly used in the attack. The police demanded a two-day remand.

During the court proceedings, Councilor Vazhottukonam claimed that he was subjected to harassment by the police. He claimed that the police officers behaved improperly while being transported in a police vehicle. The court wanted to clarify who accompanied the accused for the medical examination.

In addition, the defense argued that Mr. Sugathan was deliberately targeted by the police.

Mr. Sugathan, who was arrested under the provisions of the Kerala Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (KAAPA), was produced before the court on the basis of production warrants issued in connection with two criminal cases registered by the Vattiyurkavu police.

The cases against him relate to an alleged assault during a temple festival in Vellaikadav and a separate incident in which he allegedly assaulted police personnel who went to arrest him.

The accused, who was lodged in the Viyyur Central Jail, was brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening for a court hearing. He is expected to be taken back to Viyyur jail after completing legal formalities and remand period.

Security was deployed in the court premises before the accused was brought to the hearing. A large number of BJP workers gathered outside the court.

Published – 01 Jul 2026 15:15 IST