Survivor’s lawyer in actor assault case moves Kerala HC seeking contempt action against trial judge

Kochi: T B Mini, counsel who appeared for the survivor in the 2017 actor assault case trial, has approached the Kerala high court seeking initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings against former Ernakulam district judge Honey M Varghese for allegedly making derogatory remarks against her in open court during the trial.A bench of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan on Tuesday adjourned the petition to Wednesday. According to the petition, on Jan 12, 2026, the judge accused Mini, who was representing the survivor in the case, of attending the trial for fewer than 10 days, sleeping in court and treating the courtroom as a “resting place”. The remarks, allegedly made in the presence of the media, were widely broadcast, triggering a wave of online abuse, character assassination and professional defamation against the advocate.Before approaching the HC, Mini had filed a petition seeking sanction for initiating contempt proceedings before the advocate general. However, it was dismissed on April 22, 2026, with the observation that the judge’s remarks, even if true, amounted to mere “excessive or extravagant language” and did not meet the legal definition of criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act.Challenging the dismissal, Mini has now approached the HC, contending that the AG’s refusal to grant sanction does not curtail the HC’s inherent constitutional power to take cognizance of the matter suo motu. The petition argues that the judge’s remarks violated her fundamental rights to practise her profession under Article 19(1)(g) and to live with dignity under Article 21. The petitioner has also urged the HC to treat her sanction petition as “information”, expunge the derogatory remarks from the court records and issue directions to the Union ministries of information and broadcasting and electronics and IT to ensure the complete removal of the allegedly defamatory media content.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in KochiStay updated with the latest Kochi news. Download the TOI App.