Cases against BJP, CPI (M) councillors day after Thiruvananthapuram municipal clash
Police have registered separate cases against BJP and CPI(M) councillors after a clash at the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation office on Thursday, officials said. The cases
Police have registered separate cases against BJP and CPI(M) councillors after a clash at the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation office on Thursday, officials said. The cases were filed following complaints from both sides after a scuffle outside the chamber of Mayor VV Rajesh left several councillors injured. Based on a complaint by CPI(M) councillor Sindhu Sasi, police registered a case against Mayor Rajesh, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath and BJP councillors Girikumar, Jaya Rajeev, Madhu, Gopan, Sumi Balu, R C Beena, Manju and Sruthy. Based on a complaint by BJP councillor Sruthy SS, a case was filed against CPI(M) councillors Deepak Dev, Rakhi Ravikumar, Chellamangalam Arun, Venugopal and Renjith.
Read Full Story Museum police registered the cases under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult and wrongful restraint. Police said statements of the injured councillors had been recorded, and an investigation was under way. The clash took place when CPI(M) and BJP councillors confronted each other outside the Mayor's chamber. The CPI(M) has been demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, who was recently arrested in an assault case and booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.
The protest also came a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors after they invoked names other than "God" or used expressions beyond the prescribed form of oath or solemn affirmation. The CPI(M) has also alleged that the fresh oath taken by the BJP councillors after the High Court order was not in line with the prescribed procedure. Police said that when Rajesh, accompanied by BJP councillors, tried to enter his office, CPI(M) councillors allegedly blocked him, leading to a brief scuffle.
Several councillors, including Rajesh, were injured and taken to hospital. The incident also triggered protests in different parts of Thiruvananthapuram. The BJP-led NDA took power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025 after winning 50 of the 101 seats, ending the LDF's 45-year rule. The latest clash has now led to cases against members of both sides and a police investigation. Ends
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