BJP councilor shifted to Central Jail; cops broke my mangalsutra, says Sugathan’s wife

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP councilor R Sugathan, who was arrested last night in a murder attempt case, has been shifted to the central jail. A new case has also been registered against Sugathan for attacking the police. Sugathan is a councilor from Vazhottukonam. The police arrested him after surrounding his house at midnight. At the end of the dramatic scenes witnessed, the councilor was taken into custody after the SHO fired shots from his service revolver to disperse the crowd.

The police had earlier stated that he had been absconding for over a month. The police had registered a case against the councilor in connection with an attempt to murder a person during a festival in Vattiyoorkavu. The high court had denied him bail. On learning that the absconding Sugathan had reached Vazhottukonam, SHO Vipin and a police team reached the spot, and at this time Sugathan's followers surrounded the police. Some dramatic scenes were witnessed then. The police team left with him after firing shots using a service revolver.

Meantime, Sugathan's wife Aswathy came to the fore against the police for arresting him. Aswathy told media that the group arrived without a single female cop and had scared the children. She said the police arrived at 9 pm.

‘The police team entered the house without any provocation and harassed them. They left after breaking my mangalsutra (thali mala). They have not given it back yet. They slapped me and kicked me on my back. They scared the children,' said Aswathy.

Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner K Karthik said that stricter action will be taken against the councilor. The commissioner also clarified that policemen were injured in Sugathan's attack. A report has been sought from the ACP on the incident of firing the shots. The arrest was registered under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). Karthik said the incident of harassing Sugathan’s wife will be investigated.