Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh on Tuesday said he would oversee all development and administrative work related to the ward represented by jailed BJP councillor Sugathan R until the latter is able to discharge his duties.
Rajesh made the statement after administering the oath of office to Sugathan inside the Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur.
Sugathan, who is under preventive detention, took the oath of office inside the Viyyur Central Jail on Tuesday following a Kerala High Court order permitting him to do so.
The BJP councillor, elected from the Vazhottukonam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was administered the oath by Mayor V V Rajesh in the jail library.
Sugathan took the oath in the name of God.
Speaking to reporters outside the jail after the ceremony, Rajesh said the High Court's order had been fully complied with.
Responding to questions on whether it was embarrassing for the BJP to have a councillor facing several criminal cases, including those under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), Rajesh said many elected representatives face legal cases arising out of protests in which they participated, and the final decision in such matters rests with the courts.
He added that since Sugathan is currently under preventive detention under KAAPA and unable to perform his official duties, the Mayor's office would oversee all work related to the Vazhottukonam ward until further arrangements are made.
Meanwhile, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) staged a protest outside the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office against Sugathan's swearing-in ceremony.
Last month, the Kerala High Court directed 20 BJP councillors of the Corporation to retake their oath after ruling that the earlier oath did not conform to the format prescribed by law.
Subsequently, Sugathan became involved in two criminal cases and was granted interim bail by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Nedumangad, to enable him to retake the oath at the Corporation office on July 14.
However, before the ceremony could take place, he was detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), preventing him from attending the swearing-in at the Corporation office.
On Monday, the High Court directed the Superintendent of the Central Prison and Correctional Home, Viyyur, to make the necessary arrangements for Sugathan to take the oath inside the prison at 11 am on Tuesday.
The court also directed that the Mayor and the minimum number of Corporation officials required to conduct the swearing-in be allowed to enter the prison and complete the formalities.