Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM has alleged that forged signatures were used to show that jailed BJP councillor R Sugathan attended three Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council meetings.CPM parliamentary party leader S P Deepak made the allegation based on the council attendance register obtained under the Right to Information Act. Sugathan, who represents Vazhottukonam ward, has been in jail under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa).According to Deepak, Sugathan’s signatures were allegedly forged in the council register to show his presence at meetings held on Feb 26, March 11 and April 27.He alleged that the register containing the purported signatures was maintained through the office of mayor V V Rajesh to protect Sugathan from possible disqualification.Deepak claimed that Sugathan had not attended council meetings since Feb and alleged that the purported attendance entries were made to prevent him from facing disqualification for prolonged absence.Under the Kerala Municipality Act, absence from council meetings can lead to disqualification under specified conditions.The CPM leader also alleged that the corporation had failed to provide video recordings of the meetings sought under the RTI Act, claiming that the footage was being deliberately withheld.
