Kerala High Court Grants Film Director Baiju Kottarakkara Two Weeks To Explain His Remarks Against Trial Judge

The Malayalam Film Director Baiju Kottarakkara appeared before the Kerala High Court on Monday in the suo motu contempt proceedings initiated against him for making abusive remarks during a news channel discussion against a trial court judge, who is hearing the 2017 actor abduction and assault case.

The Division Bench of Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Mohammed Nias C P sought an explanation from the Film Director regarding the remarks made by him against the Trial Court Judge and granted him two weeks time for providing the same. The court has adjourned the matter for hearing on October 25.

Meanwhile, the Film Director had also moved a plea to dispense with the personal appearance before the Court on the next hearing. However, the Court refused to dispense with the personal appearance of the respondent for the time being and has directed the respondent to be personally present before the Court on the next day of hearing. Advocate B. Mohanlal appeared for the respondent.

The trial of the 2017 case relating to the sexual assault and abduction of a female actor in the outskirts of Kochi is pending before the Sessions Court, Emakulam. Kottarakkara had appeared in a discussion conducted by 24 News channel on May 9, and made "disparaging comments" against the Principal District and Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese, before whom the case is pending.

In the Draft Charges sent through Registrar General to the 56-year-old director, the High Court said his remarks "intended to characterize the judge who conducts the trial and scandalize the judiciary as well." Alleging that the film director had questioned the judge's character and ability during the news channel interview, the court observed that the same has caused prejudice to the trial proceedings and also affects the independence of the judiciary.

Case Title: Suo Motu v. Baiju Kottarakkara

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