LDF seeks probe into alleged forgery of BJP councillor’s attendance

The Left Democratic Front has demanded an investigation into an allegation that the signature of Bharatiya Janata Party councillor R. Sugathan was forged in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council attendance register. LDF parliamentary party leader S.P.

Deepak submitted a letter and copies of documents to the Kerala government and the district police chief on Sunday. He also called for the immediate dissolution of the BJP-led ruling council. According to Deepak, Sugathan missed three council meetings while he was in hiding and later imprisoned by police under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

Deepak alleged that signatures were entered in the register to create the impression that Sugathan had attended those meetings. The meetings identified in the allegation were held on February 26, March 11 and April 27. Deepak said copies of the attendance register obtained under the Right to Information Act showed signatures attributed to Sugathan on each date.

He alleged that the entries were intended to prevent Sugathan’s disqualification, which he said could have followed if the councillor missed three consecutive meetings. Deepak also argued that the register was kept in the Mayor’s office and claimed that the alleged forgery could only have occurred with the mayor’s knowledge. The supplied material presents these points as allegations by the LDF.

It contains no response from Sugathan, the mayor, the BJP-led council, the police or the Kerala government, and it does not report that an investigation has been opened. Sugathan contested the Vazhottukonam ward as a BJP candidate. The report says he was accused in several criminal cases and was later imprisoned under the state’s anti-social activities law, but it provides no details of those cases.