Under secretary suspended in Kerala over letter which aided KAAPA accused BJP councillor secure leave

The Local Self Government Department on Monday suspended Chithra P.Arunima, a Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) officer who is currently an under secretary in the department, over a letter which was used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation administration to secure six months of leave to BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and is currently lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur. Officials from Panchayat Minister K.M.Shaji's office confirmed to The Hindu the decision to suspend the officer. Mr.Shaji had told media persons on Sunday that it was unfortunate that a letter which went through his department had aided a “criminal” to secure leave. The under secretary, according to him, had added the additional lines which suggested that Mr.Sugathan can get a leave through voting in the council, in gross violation of rules. “The Minister and the Secretary had rejected the request for leave. However, it is not right for any official to add to the report we had signed on. In case such additions are made, it has to come back to us. However, in this case, the report went to the Home Department after the official made the addition. Such conduct cannot be allowed,” Mr.Shaji had said. The letter was forwarded to the Home department, where it was signed by an under secretary on behalf of the Additional Chief Secretary and was later sent to Mr. Sugathan in response to his request for an escort parole to take part in the council meeting.