Activist booked for ‘provocative remarks’ on actor rape case verdict

The Ernakulam Central Police on Friday (Januaray 16, 2026) booked trade unionist Charles George for allegedly making provocative statements against Judge Honey M. Varghese, who delivered the verdict in the 2017 actor rape case.

Mr. George, State president of the Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi, has been charged with “wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot” under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The police registered the case following an order from the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court to investigate a complaint filed against Mr. George by lawyer P. J. Paulson.

According to the first information report, the accused allegedly made provocative remarks, including terming the verdict in the actor rape case “biased”, while interacting with the media in front of the Ernakulam District Court complex on December 8, 2025, shortly after the verdict was pronounced.

The complaint reportedly stated that Mr. George’s media interaction included the allegation that “the judge stood up when actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the case, entered the courtroom.”