Actress Assault Case: Sessions Judge Honey Varghese Warns Media Against Distorted Reporting Of Court Proceedings

The Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam on Friday (December 12) issued a warning to all the media personnels and lawyers present not to distort the court proceedings while reporting on the high-profile actress assault case.

Smt. Honey M. Varghese, Principal District and Sessions Judge made the oral remark prior to conducting the hearing on the sentencing for those convicted in the actress assault case. The judge specifically warned against recording the court proceedings and any distortion of court proceedings.

The Court orally told that opinions should not be given before reading the judgment in the case. The judge noted that the media has been sensationalising the case since the very beginning and especially after the verdict was given.

After a detailed hearing, the Court told that the sentence would be pronounced later today, at 3:30 p.m.

The Court had acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep, who was arrayed as the 8th accused in the case. The Court, however, convicted 6 accused, including the prime accused Sunil N.S. @ Pulsar Suni. It had then deferred the hearing on sentencing to today.

When the case came up for consideration, the Court orally told that this was a case which ought to have been dealt with in a confidential manner, without disclosing the victim's identity but the media has failed to do so.

Actor Dileep had also approached the High Court alleging media trial in the case. Recently, the High Court had asked the the State to take instructions regarding progress in the five FIRs registered pursuant to its order in Malayalam cine actor Dileep's plea against media violating bar on publication, broadcast and telecast of trial proceedings in the actress assault case.

There are multiple contempt petitions pending before the Sessions Court relating to the case. The Court told that these will be considered on December 18.

Case No: SC 118 of 2018

Case Title: Sunil N.S. @ Pulsar Suni and Ors. v. State of Kerala