'Sleeping in court' remark: Actress assault case survivor's lawyer moves High Court against Judge Honey M Varghese

KOCHI: Advocate T B Mini, who represented the survivor in the actress assault case, has approached the Kerala High Court against former trial court judge Honey M Varghese, seeking the initiation of suo motu contempt of court proceedings. In her petition, Mini alleged that the judge's remarks that she had been sleeping while sitting in court and had attended fewer than 10 days of the trial were defamatory.

Advocate Mini has sought the High Court's initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings in the matter. The petition states that the remarks made by Judge Honey M Varghese on January 12, 2026, affected her professional credibility and led to widespread online attacks against her. Mini also said the incident had caused her mental distress.

Mini had earlier submitted a complaint to the Advocate General, seeking contempt proceedings against the judge. However, after the Advocate General rejected her request for action, she approached the High Court.
The High Court will consider the petition tomorrow.