Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) leader P P Chitharanjan on Monday remained in a courtroom for more than four hours after a magistrate sentenced him till the rising of the court in a case related to traffic disruption during a protest march in the state capital last year.

Apart from Chitharanjan, CITU leaders P M Vaheeda and N L Ramachandran were also directed by Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Tania Mariam Jose to stand till the rising of the court and pay a fine of Rs 1,600 each.

The case relates to a protest march organised by the Kerala Cooperative Employees Union, affiliated to the CITU, from Palayam to the Government Secretariat on January 17, 2025, demanding job security for employees of cooperative hospitals.

Chitharanjan, who was then the MLA from Alappuzha, had inaugurated the march.

Around 300 persons participated in the protest, leading to severe traffic disruption, following which the Cantonment police registered a case.

After the police filed the final report, the case came up before the court on July 3.

On Monday, counsel for Chitharanjan, Vaheeda and Ramachandran moved a petition seeking an early hearing, and the three accused pleaded guilty to the charges.

The magistrate thereafter ordered them to stand till the rising of the court and imposed a fine of Rs 1,600 each.

Speaking to PTI, Chitharanjan said he remained inside the courtroom from around 12 noon till 4.30 pm.

He said that he was provided a seat to sit till the evening.

"I have faced similar cases before where only a fine was imposed. This is the first time I have been asked to remain in court till it rises," he said.

Chitharanjan said he respects the court and accepted the order.

"The protest was held for the workers. However, we accept the court's decision," he said.

Chitharanjan represented the Alappuzha Assembly constituency from 2021 to 2026 and was defeated in the recent election.