Judge in Actress Assault Case Transferred Amidst Controversy
Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese, who recently delivered the verdict in the high-profile 2017 actress assault case, has been transferred to the Alappuzha District Court. The transfer, which was previously on hold pending the trial’s conclusion, was implemented following the pronouncement of the verdict on February 19, 2026.
The Kerala High Court had initially included Judge Varghese in a list of judicial transfers, but the move was temporarily paused due to the ongoing actress assault case. The survivor in the case had specifically requested that a woman judge preside over the proceedings, leading to the assignment of the case to Judge Varghese.
The verdict in the case, delivered earlier this month, saw six accused individuals found guilty, while actor Dileep was acquitted. The outcome sparked considerable public discussion and, reportedly, allegations against Judge Varghese, though details of those allegations remain unspecified.
The transfer sees Judge Varghese swapping roles with K.K. Balakrishnan, who will now serve as Principal Sessions Judge in Ernakulam, moving from his previous position in Alappuzha. This reciprocal shift in judicial assignments follows the completion of a trial that was closely followed throughout Kerala.
Judge Varghese’s handling of the case had drawn attention even before the verdict. Reports indicate scrutiny of her approach, with some observers noting a difference in her responses during the actress assault case compared to other proceedings. The case itself involved a coordinated attack on a prominent actress in 2017, and the subsequent investigation and trial captivated the state.
The transfer is part of a broader reshuffle within the district judiciary, signaling a routine administrative adjustment following the conclusion of a significant legal matter. The move allows for the continuation of judicial proceedings in both Ernakulam and Alappuzha with new leadership at the helm of their respective principal sessions courts.
