Kerala High Court Allows Historic Jail Oath for Elected Official

For the first time in Kerala’s democratic journey, an elected municipal representative will be sworn in inside a jail. The High Court’s recent order permits BJP councillor R. Sugathan to take his oath on July 14 at the Viyyur Central Jail in Kochi.

The ceremony will be conducted at 11 a.m. within the prison superintendent’s office, a setting never before used for a public‑office oath. Sugathan, who won the Vazhuthukkonam seat in the Tiruvananthapuram Corporation, is currently held under the Kerala Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

Although he secured bail for two separate criminal matters earlier this month, a preventive detention order continues to keep him behind bars. The court’s order also authorises the attendance of Tiruvananthapuram’s mayor, senior BJP figure V. V. Rajesh, adding political weight to the proceedings.

The decision follows a High Court ruling that disqualified 20 councillors for not completing the oath‑taking process, giving them four weeks to redo it. While 19 have complied, Sugathan was the only member unable to do so because of his legal custody. The deadline for the renewed oath is set for July 24, after which he can formally assume his responsibilities.