The Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment police have removed Mayor Arya Rajendran and MLA Sachin Dev from the chargesheet in the case related to an altercation with KSRTC driver H L Yadhu near the Saphalyam Complex, Palayam.

The incident happened around 10 pm on April 27, 2024, when a car carrying the couple and others blocked the KSRTC bus, leading to a dispute. Yadhu had accused the Mayor and MLA of obstructing his duty, using abusive language, and forcing open the bus door.

Police said the investigation found no CCTV footage or witness statements to support these claims. Cantonment CI Prajeesh Sasi stated that the hydraulically operated bus door could only be opened by the driver himself, ruling out the allegation of forced entry. He added that there is no evidence that the couple used obscene language and noted they contacted the police within a few minutes, and the cops soon intervened in the arguments.

"The probe also found that the KSRTC bus was deviating from its assigned route, travelling via PMG–Niyamasabha–Palayam–VJT instead of the Thampanoor–Bakery Junction route," the official said.

"Only the Mayor’s brother, Aravind, who was driving the car, has been named an accused for allegedly blocking the bus and obstructing Yadhu's duty," the cop added.

The matter is now before the Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, and Yadhu has submitted a fresh petition seeking to add the Mayor back to the list of accused.