Kerala High Court Closes Contempt Proceedings Against Congress MP K Sudhakaran Over Remarks On Judges, Accepts Apology
Anamika MJ
8 July 2026 7:53 PM IST
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (08 July) closed the contempt proceedings initiated against Congress MP K. Sudhakaran, for his comments on judges for declining CBI probe into murder of Youth Congress worker, Shuhaib.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K. V Jayakumar closed the case on receiving his unconditional apology.
Shuhaib was hacked to death on a public road on 12.02.2018 by four or five persons. It is alleged that the murder was out of political enmity.
A single bench had ordered CBI inquiry into the matter. However, the Division Bench set aside the direction on State's appeal. The Supreme Court had also later rejected the plea for CBI inquiry.
Sudhakaran allegedly called the division bench judgment 'disgraceful' and made derogatory remarks about the judges who comprised the Bench.
His counsel had previously submitted that he regrets making the statements in the course of his extempore speech and that he never intended to defame, malign, or cast any aspersion on the integrity, impartiality, dignity or authority of the Court or the Judges. The Court had thus directed his personal appearance.
Today, Sudhakaran appeared in person and tendered his unconditional apology.
The Court noted that under Rule 14(a) of the Contempt of Courts (High Court of Kerala) Rules, 1988, if a respondent tenders an unconditional apology after admitting he has committed the contempt, the Court may proceed to pass such orders as it deems fit.
The Court thus closed the contempt case, noting that it was satisfied with the apology tendered.
"After hearing the respondent and the learned counsel, we are satisfied that the apology tendered by the respondent is bona fide and genuine and is in consonance with the requirements of Rule 14(a) of the Contempt of Courts (High Court of Kerala) Rules, 1988. In that view of the matter, we accept the unconditional apology tendered by the respondent, and he is discharged." Court recorded.
Case Title: Janardhana Shenoy K v Kumbakudi Sudhakaran
Case No: Cont.Cas.(Crl.) 2/ 2024
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 365
Counsel for Petitioner: Surin George Ipe
Counsel for Respondent: P. Martin Jose, V.S. Chandrasekharan, Viju Thomas, Thomas P. Kuruvilla, Ajau Ben Jose
