Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt on Tuesday suspended Chithra P Arunima, undersecretary in local self-govt department, pending inquiry. She allegedly issued a communication that sought to facilitate Thiruvananthapuram corporation BJP councillor, R Sugathan, who is under preventive detention, avoid disqualification from the council.According to the suspension order, the official acted against the directions of local self-govt minister K M Shaji. She allegedly made changes and additions to the file with mala fide intent to extend benefits that were not legally available to a person under preventive detention under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The order also alleged abuse of official authority.The state govt said there was no legal provision for granting escort parole in such cases. It alleged that despite directions at the ministerial and secretary levels that escort parole could not be granted, the official altered the file to help Sugathan. The order described the action as a violation of rules, abuse of authority and one that had tarnished govt’s image.The minister had earlier said strict action would be taken against the undersecretary for issuing a favourable report, contrary to his directions. Describing it as a serious lapse, the minister said the incident had caused embarrassment to him. He also said that when the file first came before the department secretary, it was returned with the observation that leave could not be granted.The controversy arose after Arunima issued a communication addressed to the additional chief secretary (home), on the representation submitted by Sugathan seeking escort parole to attend a corporation council meeting. While the request for escort parole was rejected, the communication explained the steps that could be taken to avoid disqualification from the councillor’s post.It stated that if Sugathan could not attend the council meeting in person, he could submit a leave application to the corporation council through the jail superintendent to avoid disqualification.It further stated that if the corporation council approved the leave application by vote under the Kerala Municipality Act, the councillor would not incur disqualification. During the corporation council meeting, Congress councillor K S Sabarinadhan questioned under which provision of the Act such a leave application could be put to vote. In response, mayor V V Rajesh referred to the home department’s communication.
