Administrative Tribunal Upholds Suspension of LSGD Under Secretary Over Undue Favour to Sugathan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Administrative Tribunal has upheld the suspension of Chithra P Arunima, Under Secretary in the Local Self-Government Department, in connection with the leave application of R Sugathan, a BJP councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and an accused in a KAAPA case. The tribunal dismissed Chithra's petition challenging the suspension order.

The Local Self-Government Department's order granting Sugathan a six-month concession and leave came at a time when the Opposition was strongly demanding his removal from the council for failing to attend three consecutive council meetings.

The order triggered strong criticism that the UDF government had granted undue benefits to the BJP leader. Following the controversy, Minister K M Shaji offered what was described as an unusual justification, saying that the department's action had been taken without his knowledge.

The Local Self-Government Department maintained that the Under Secretary had issued the order overriding the directions of the department and the minister. Chithra was subsequently suspended, in what was seen as an attempt to avoid further controversy.