KAPA Accused BJP Councilor's Arrest In Kerala Capital Turns Violent, Police Fire In Air

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 11:32 IST

BJP councillor Sugathan allegedly pushed and attempted to assault the Vattiyoorkavu police inspector and a sub-inspector who were part of the arrest team.

Thiruvananthapuram witnessed high drama late on Tuesday night when police fired in the air to disperse a crowd while arresting a BJP councillor facing preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), officials said on Wednesday.

Sugathan, BJP councillor of the Vazhottukonam ward under the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was taken into custody from his residence hours after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail in an alleged assault case linked to a temple festival.

According to police, a team reached his house to execute the KAAPA detention order when a group of people, allegedly BJP workers, surrounded the officers and tried to block the arrest. As tensions escalated, police said they were forced to fire into the air to disperse the crowd and ensure their safety. Sugathan was then overpowered and taken into custody.

Authorities later recorded his arrest, conducted a medical examination and shifted him to jail.

Police said Sugathan is an accused in multiple criminal cases and had earlier been directed by a court to appear before the police, but he failed to comply. Following Tuesday night’s incident, a fresh case was registered against him and four others for allegedly assaulting and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties.

As per the new FIR, Sugathan allegedly pushed and attempted to assault the Vattiyoorkavu police inspector and a sub-inspector who were part of the arrest team. The other accused allegedly joined in the attack, causing injuries to the officers and hindering the execution of the detention order. Vattiyoorkavu Circle Inspector Vipin and Sub-Inspector Abhijith were injured in the clash.

However, Sugathan’s family has strongly denied the police version and accused the officers of using excessive force. Speaking to reporters, his wife, Aswathy, alleged that police entered their house without any women personnel, assaulted her and intimidated their children.

She also claimed that police tried to take her into custody and that their eight-year-old child was pushed during the chaos. Aswathy maintained that Sugathan was not absconding and was under medical treatment for chickenpox at the time of his arrest.

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