It's learnt that three women, who approached the court in divorce-related cases, have lodged complaints alleging attempted sexual assault inside the judge’s chambers.
Published Aug 23, 2025 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2025 | 3:31 PM
Judge
Synopsis: In the meantime, the judge in question, V Udaya Kumar, has been transferred to preside over the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT), Kollam, effective 20 August.
Kerala High Court has ordered a preliminary inquiry against a judge of a family court in Kollam, following allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
It’s learnt that three women, who approached the court in divorce-related cases, have lodged complaints alleging attempted sexual assault inside the judge’s chambers.
The matter came to light after the complainants approached the Kollam District and Sessions Court.
Concerned over the allegations, the Principal District Judge of Kollam forwarded the complaints to the High Court’s Administrative Committee (AC), which has now tasked the Registrar (District Judiciary) with conducting a preliminary inquiry.
The committee is scheduled to review the report on Tuesday, 26 August, and decide on further action.
In the meantime, the judge in question, V Udaya Kumar, has been transferred to preside over the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT), Kollam, effective 20 August. He has been instructed not to discharge any judicial duties until the inquiry concludes.
Meanwhile, it’s also being pointed out that the absence of formal police complaints in such cases often limits the scope of investigations to internal disciplinary proceedings.
This is the second high-profile allegation of sexual misconduct against judicial officers in Kerala in the past six months.
A similar case in Kozhikode saw a district judge reinstated after a six-month suspension, following complaints that were not formally registered with the police or the court’s Internal Complaints Committee.
Lawyers at the court, where the judge presided, expressed concern over the incidents, noting that vulnerable women approaching the court for guidance and counselling must be protected from harassment.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
