T’puram: Museum police filed two cases in connection with the clash between BJP and LDF councillors at the city corporation, with mayor V V Rajesh and deputy mayor Asha Nath G S among those named as accused.The cases were registered based on complaints filed by councillors of both fronts following the scuffle that broke out inside the corporation office amid protests over BJP councillors being made to retake their oath of office.Police said, a case was registered against mayor, deputy mayor and eight BJP councillors – Girikumar, Jaya Rajeev, Madhu, Gopan, Sumi Balu, R C Beena, Manju and Sruthy, on the complaint of LDF councillors.The complaint said that the BJP councillors unlawfully assembled outside the mayor’s office and attempted to disrupt the protest staged by LDF councillors. Police allege that Rajesh verbally abused CPM councillor Sindhu Sasi using derogatory language and pushed her. Sasi allegedly sustained a head injury that required two stitches. Several other councillors also reportedly suffered injuries in the clash. The mayor and BJP councillors have been booked under various sections of BNS sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 190 (offence committed by members of an unlawful assembly), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 296(b) (uttering obscene words) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint).Meanwhile, in the counter-case registered on the complaint of BJP councillors, five LDF councillors S P Deepak, Rakhi Ravikumar, Chellamangalam Arun, Venugopal and Renjith have been named as accused.The accused, acting as members of an unlawful assembly, wrongfully restrained the mayor while he was proceeding to his office along with other BJP councillors.The complaint alleges that Deepak kicked and pushed the mayor, causing BJP councillor Sruthi S S to fall to the floor. It further states that the accused threatened to kill Sruthi and assaulted the complainants. The LDF councillors have been booked under various sections of BNS. Sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 190 (offence committed by members of an unlawful assembly), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint).The clash took place after BJP councillors were asked to retake their oath following a HC order declaring their earlier oath invalid for not conforming to Section 143 of Kerala Municipality Act.
