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2 booked for vandalising Algerian-French artist’s work at Kochi art gallery

Kerala-based artist Hochimin, who is one of the accused, claimed that he did not tear Hanan Benammar's artwork. “I just removed them… The translations are obscene and anti-women,” he said.

2 min readThiruvanananthapuramOct 24, 2025 11:01 AM IST

Artwork of Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar. (Source: Instagram/Hanan Benammar)

The Kerala Police have registered a case against two artists based in the state for vandalising artworks of Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi.

Benammar’s seven linocut graphic prints, which were on display as part of an international exhibition titled ‘Estranged Geographies’, were allegedly destroyed by artists Hochimin P H and Sudamshu, alleging obscenity.

The Kochi City police registered the case against the two based on a complaint from Murali Cheeroth, the Chairperson of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, which organised the exhibition.

The First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 329 (3) (criminal trespass, 324(4) (criminal mischief that causes loss), and 3(5) (criminal act committed by several persons with common intention). It stated that the accused trespassed into the art gallery and destroyed the work of the internationally acclaimed artist.

Benammar’s seven linocut graphic prints were on display at the exhibition curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger. Around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, Hochimin and Sudamshu allegedly tore away the seven prints. As the gallery was about to close, only two persons were reportedly present when the incident took place.

Justifying his stance, Hochimin claimed that he did not tear the artwork. “I just removed them. I have registered my protest. The translations are obscene and anti-women. It should have been displayed for public view,” he said.

Condemning the attack, Akademi chairperson Cheeroth said on Thursday, “There was no obscenity as alleged by the persons who vandalised the work. It was a baseless campaign. Instead of raising concerns through discussion, they vandalised the gallery.”

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“The incident is an attack on artistic freedom and has outraged the art community in Kerala. The damaged work was part of a prestigious international show, which was backed by reputed cultural organisations and embassies. The attack was meant to disrupt the state’s peaceful landscape,” he added.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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