Thiruvananthapuram | A case has been registered against Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh, the Corporation secretary and BJP councillor over an alleged forged signature, police said on Thursday.
The case was registered at the Museum police station against Rajesh, councillor Sugathan K and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Secretary following a complaint lodged by CPI(M) councillor S P Deepak on Wednesday night.
According to police, Sugathan was detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) after allegedly being involved in multiple criminal cases.
As per the FIR, the accused persons conspired to forge Sugathan's signature in the attendance book for council meetings held on February 26, March 11, and April 27 this year.
Police officials said that under the Kerala Municipality Act, prolonged absence from council meetings can lead to disqualification under specified conditions.
The complainant alleged that the forged signature was made to prevent Sugathan's disqualification, police said.
Deepak claimed that Sugathan's signature on his election nomination papers differed from the signature in the council meeting attendance book.
The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to forgery, criminal conspiracy and making a false document.
Sugathan was recently released from jail following a direction of the Kerala High Court.
Police will soon ask the Corporation to submit the documents and record the statements of the accused persons, an official said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Rajesh, through his lawyer, sent a legal notice to Deepak on Thursday.
"Your imputations are utterly devoid of merit. By convening a press conference and uttering such falsehoods, you knowingly inflicted upon the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation grievous insult, humiliation, and defamation, both in his personal life and in his official capacity," the legal notice said.
By fabricating and proclaiming such baseless allegations against my client, you have sought to tarnish his honour and to cast aspersions upon the dignity of the Corporation he leads, the notice said.
"Nevertheless, should you desire to resolve the matter without recourse to litigation, you are hereby called upon to, within 15 days of receipt of this notice, tender to my client, the respectful Mayor, a sum of Rs five crore as compensation for the damage inflicted, and to issue a receipt thereof," the legal notice said.
Failing such compliance, my client shall be constrained to recover the aforesaid sum through due process of law, and you shall be held personally liable, together with your assets, for all losses, costs, and expenses occasioned thereby, the notice added.