Mayor Arya-KSRTC driver Yadhu row: Chargesheet exempts mayor and MLA husband

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mayor Arya Rajendran and her husband, Sachin Dev MLA, were exempted from the chargesheet in the case of obstructing a KSRTC bus service and shouting expletives.

Mayor Arya’s brother Aravind, is the only accused in the case. The charge sheet also gave a clean chit to the Mayor over allegations of using obscene language at the driver.

In April 2024, the car driven by MLA SAchin Dev and her wife, Mayor Arya Rajendran, blocked a KSRTC bus near Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram. An altercation took place between the mayor and driver Yadhu in the middle of the road after she alleged the KSRTC driver of reckless driving and showing indecent gestures.

The police registered a case on the complaint filed by the mayor. Yadhu too had filed a complaint against the Mayor and the other two for obstructing his work. The police initially ignored his complaint, but had to register a case after the driver approached the court. As per the court's instructions, the Cantonment Police registered a case.

Yadhu had demanded that the mayor be charged for unlawfully entering the bus to commit a crime, unlawfully obstructing his duty, using obscene language, and destroying evidence. However, the charge sheet exempts the mayor, the MLA, and Arya's relative, a woman who was in the car.

According to police, there is no crucial evidence to corroborate the allegations that the Mayor and her family members tried to obstruct the driver’s duty.