Kerala HC Orders 20 BJP Councillors To Retake Oath In Thiruvananthapuram

The Kerala High Court has ordered 20 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to undergo a fresh oath-taking ceremony within the next four weeks.

The ruling stems from concerns regarding whether the councillors complied with the oath procedure mandated by law.

The dispute originated from a petition submitted by CPI(M) councillor SP Deepak, who questioned the legality of the oaths administered to several BJP representatives. He argued that some councillors departed from the approved format by referring to particular deities while taking the oath of office.

While examining the matter earlier this year, the High Court observed that municipal regulations permit elected representatives either to swear in the name of God or to make a solemn affirmation.

The judges expressed reservations about the use of names of individual or multiple deities when the legislation prescribes a standard form of oath.

Following its examination of the case, the court instructed the councillors to retake the oath in accordance with the prescribed rules.

Reacting to the verdict, Deepak said the order supports his contention that established legal procedures had not been followed during the original oath-taking process. He maintained that adherence to the statutory wording is essential to ensure the validity of the oath.

Although the petitioner had sought interim restrictions on the councillors’ participation in corporation meetings and receipt of honorariums, the court declined to grant such relief.

The court allowed the councillors to continue discharging their responsibilities while it considered the case.

The case unfolds against the backdrop of the BJP’s historic success in securing control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

The victory ended more than 40 years of CPI(M) dominance in the civic body and marked a notable development in Kerala’s local political landscape.