A local court in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday granted police custody of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor and BJP leader R. Sugathan in connection with an alleged assault that had taken place at a temple festival recently.
The court allowed police custody until 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) after considering the investigating team’s request to recover the weapon allegedly used in the attack. The police had sought two days of custody.
During the court proceedings, the Vazhottukonam councillor alleged that he was subjected to harassment by the police. He claimed that officers behaved improperly while transporting him in a police vehicle. The court sought clarification on who accompanied the accused for his medical examination.
Besides, the defence argued that Mr. Sugathan was being deliberately targeted by the police.
Mr. Sugathan, who has been arrested under provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA), was produced before the court on 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 at Vellaikadavu and a separate incident in which he allegedly attacked police personnel who had gone to arrest him.
The accused, who had been lodged at the Viyyur Central Prison, was brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening for the court proceedings. After the completion of legal formalities and the custody period, he is expected to be taken back to the Viyyur jail.
Heavy security was deployed on the court premises before the accused was brought for the proceedings. A large number of BJP workers gathered outside the court.
Published – July 01, 2026 03:15 pm IST
