Kerala High Court overturns detention of BJP councillor Sugathan, calling it politically motivated

Kerala High Court nullified the preventive detention of BJP councilor R. Sugathan under the Kerala Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, marking a win for the party’s claim that the case was fabricated.

What Happened

The court set aside the order that had kept Sugathan in Poojappura Central prison, where he was later met by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar after the Yuva Morcha activists he was with were granted bail.

Reaction

Chandrasekhar told reporters that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had been exploiting the state police for a decade to file bogus charges against political rivals, and that the current V.D. Satheesan administration was persisting in that approach. He contrasted these actions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s public praise of constitutional values, saying the Congress‑led state government in Kerala displayed double standards and lacked moral authority to speak on democracy or rule of law.

Context

The decision highlights ongoing tensions in Kerala’s politics, where opposition parties frequently accuse each other of using law‑enforcement agencies to settle scores. The KAAPA law, intended to curb anti‑social activities, is often invoked in politically sensitive cases, making court interventions like this closely watched.