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The Ernakulam Central Police on Friday (Jan 16, 2026) charged trade unionist Charles George for allegedly making provocative statements against Justice Honey M. Varghese, who had delivered the verdict in the actor’s rape case in 2017.
Mr. George, the state president of the Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi, was charged with “deliberate provocation with intent to cause riot” under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The police registered the case on the order of the Ernakulam First Class Court to investigate a complaint filed against Mr. George by lawyer PJ Paulson.
According to a First Information Report, the accused allegedly made provocative remarks, including terming the verdict in the actor’s rape case as “biased”, while interacting with the media outside the Ernakulam District Court premises on 8 December 2025, shortly after the verdict.
The complaint alleged that Mr. George’s media interaction included an allegation that “the judge stood up when actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the case, entered the courtroom.”
Published – 16 Jan 2026 21:32 IST