R. Sugathan, the BJP councillor representing Vazhottukonam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, is facing as many as 19 criminal cases, including several serious charges such as attempted murder. According to details released by the Home department, 18 cases have been registered against him at the Vattiyurkavu police station and one case at Nedumangad police station. In all 19 cases, Sugathan has been named as the first accused.

Among the charges are four cases of attempted murder, along with offences including rioting, causing hurt and criminal intimidation. The police have already filed charge sheets in 18 of the cases, official sources said. Prior to the latest instance in which provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) was invoked against Mr. Sugathan, the district authorities had previously issued externment orders against him in 2023 and 2025.

The Vattiyurkavu police had recently arrested the councillor in a late-night dramatic operation after evading law for over a month following a temple clash. He is presently lodged under judicial remand in the Viyyur Central Prison.

On Sunday, a protest march taken out by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activists to the residence of Vattiyurkavu station house officer Vipin at Moonnamoodu, near Vattiyurkavu, turned unruly, prompting the police to use water cannons to disperse the activists.

The agitation was inaugurated by BJP Thiruvananthapuram city district general secretary Pappanamcode Saji, who alleged that the accused BJP councillor had been falsely implicated in a fabricated case. Three protesters suffered minor injuries during the confrontation with the police.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, former Director General of Police and BJP councillor R. Sreelekha came out in support of Mr. Sugathan, and alleged that he has been subjected to political harassment and false criminal cases.

The councillor, she claimed, had spent several years challenging the alleged illegal activities in Vattiyurkavu and advocating for local residents. According to her, multiple cases were registered against him at the behest of CPI(M) leaders during the previous LDF government’s terms.