On January 16, 2026, the Ernakulam Central Police booked trade unionist Charles George for making provocative statements against Judge Honey M. Varghese. The judge handled the verdict of the 2017 actor rape case. Mr. George is the State president of the Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi. He has been charged under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for "wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot." This case followed an order by the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court to investigate a complaint filed by lawyer P. J. Paulson. The complaint says that Mr. George made provocative remarks during a media interaction in front of the Ernakulam District Court complex on December 8, 2025, shortly after the verdict was announced. According to the first information report, Mr. George called the verdict "biased." He also alleged that "the judge stood up when actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the case, entered the courtroom." These comments led to the police registering a case against him.