Suo Motu Contempt Case: Kerala HC Sentences ‘V4 Kochi’ President to 4 Months Imprisonment

The Kerala High Court on Thursday sentenced Nipun Cherian, President of ‘V4 Kochi’, to four months imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 2,000 in a suo motu contempt case.

The contempt proceedings were initiated against Cherian for his statements against a sitting judge of the High Court.

The case revolves around a speech delivered by Cherian before farmers, fishermen, and local representatives of Chellanam, where he made allegations of corruption against a sitting judge of the High Court. The speech was livestreamed and uploaded on the Facebook page of ‘V4 Kochi’ on October 25, 2022.

A bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Mohammed Nias C.P., rejected Cherian’s request to stay the sentence so that he could appeal to the Supreme Court. The Court clarified that Cherian could file the appeal even while serving the sentence.

The High Court, in November 2022, initiated the suo motu contempt proceedings against Cherian, stating that his speech was “contumacious and made with an intention to tarnish the integrity of the Honourable Judge.” The Court found that the speech scandalized the authority of the Court, interfered in the due course of judicial proceedings, and diminished the Court’s authority in the eyes of the public.

Expressing dissatisfaction with Cherian’s conduct, the Court previously remarked, “It is only when confronted with comments or remarks that go well beyond personal attacks, and have the propensity to defame or lower the esteem of the judicial institution itself, that they respond swiftly with the only weapon in their judicial armoury – the proceedings for contempt of court. Even on such occasions, their efforts are directed solely at preserving the majesty of the judicial institution and ensuring that the misconceived actions of some do not destroy the faith of the majority in an institution that has for long remained the last bastion of hope against rights infringement for our citizens.”