Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 -- A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor, detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), retook his oath of office inside Viyyur Central Jail on Tuesday following directions from the Kerala high court.

It was the first time a municipal councillor took the constitutional oath inside a prison in the state.

R Sugathan, the councillor representing Vazhottukonam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was administered the oath by mayor VV Rajesh at the prison library hall at 11 am. He took the oath in the name of God in the presence of corporation and prison officials, and members of the media.

Sugathan and 19 other councillors had been directed by the high court to retake thei...