High Court
Kerala High Court
Ernakulam
The Kerala High Court was established in 1956. It has jurisdiction over the state of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
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News & Updates Published
Order
FIR Ordered Against Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Thaikkandiyil and Mohammed Riyas in CMRL-Exalogic Case: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on October 9, 2026, directed the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil and his son-in-law Mohammed Riyas. Justice A. Badharudeen passed the order on a…
Order
Alleged Elbow Hit on Woman’s Chest Insufficient to Establish Intent to Outrage Modesty, Man Acquitted: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has acquitted Rajendran in a molestation case dating back to 2002, setting aside his conviction and sentence under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Justice Jobin Sebastian passed the order on September 30, 2026, while allowing Criminal Revision Petition No. 481 of 2007. The case arose…
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Police Directed to Strictly Enforce Public Smoking Ban and Conduct Awareness on Passive Smoking: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation seeking strict enforcement of the legal ban on smoking in public places across Kerala. The petition was filed by Prof. Monamma Kokkad in WP(PIL) No. 195 of 2026, decided on October 7, 2026. The petitioner argued that directions issued by the High Court…
Order
Notaries Act Protection Unavailable for Forged Attestation in Signatory’s Absence: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition filed by P. Imbichi Koya, a 67-year-old advocate and Kerala State Notary, seeking to quash criminal proceedings against him in a vigilance case involving an allegedly forged consent letter linked to a building permit. Justice A. Badharudeen passed the order on September…
Order
498A Case Against In-Laws Retained Over Allegations of Calling Daughter-in-Law a ‘Servant’ and ‘Cancer in Their Life’: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Sreejith MS, the fourth accused in a matrimonial cruelty case, while refusing to end the case against his parents, Sasi MR and Shantha P.A. The order was passed by Justice G. Girish on 5 October 2026. The case arose from Crime No.64/2022 of Chottanikkara…
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20-Year Jail Term Upheld for Man Convicted of Repeated Sexual Assault on 12-Year-Old Niece: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a criminal appeal challenging the conviction and sentence of the accused in a POCSO case tried by the Fast Track Special Court, Wadakkanchery. The case arose from Crime No. 977/2021 of Pazhayannur Police Station, Thrissur. The accused was convicted by the Special Court on 25.06.2024…
Judgment
Preventive Detention of BJP Councillor Sugathan R Quashed Over Procedural Lapses Under KAAPA: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has set aside the preventive detention of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation Councillor Sugathan R under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA), finding serious procedural lapses in the detention process. The petition was filed by his wife, Aswathi G R, challenging…
Judgment
Disability Does Not Extinguish Husband’s Duty to Maintain Wife, Kerala HC Upholds ₹10,000 Monthly Maintenance: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed R.P.F.C. No. 122 of 2024 and upheld an order directing the petitioner to pay ₹10,000 per month as maintenance to the respondent. The case arose from M.C. No. 137 of 2019 before the Family Court, Kottayam at Ettumanoor. The petitioner and respondent married on 1 August 2015. It was…
Order
Wife Declared Exclusive Owner of Jointly Registered Property, Husband Directed to Vacate House Within Three Months: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has declared Raslin the exclusive owner of a 2.8 Ares (7 cents) property and the building standing on it, in a matrimonial dispute involving her husband Shamsheer Kurudan Candy. The judgment was delivered on 26 September 2026 in Mat.Appeal Nos.84 and 581 of 2022. Raslin had claimed that her…
Judgment
YouTuber Thoppi Granted Anticipatory Bail, Kerala High Court Notes No Obscene or Sexually Coloured Remarks Were Directly Made by Him: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Muhammed Nihad @ Thoppi in a case registered by Manjeri Police in Malappuram district over alleged objectionable remarks and the unauthorised display of a woman's photographs and videos during a YouTube livestream. The order was passed by Justice Dr. Kauser…
Order
Mere Relationship With Husband’s Family Insufficient for Domestic Violence Proceedings Without Proof of Shared Household: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has quashed proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 against two persons who were arrayed as the fourth and fifth respondents in a domestic violence case before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-IV, Kozhikode. The petitioners, who were the brother-in-law…
Order
Flag Insult Case Against Lakshadweep Man Quashed, Accidental Display of 'Saffron Down' Without Intent Not an Offence: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Mohammed Kasim H.K., who was accused of insulting the Indian National Flag by sharing a photograph in which the saffron band appeared at the bottom. Justice A. Badharudeen held that the prosecution material did not indicate that the flag had been displayed…
Judgment
Preventive Detention of BJP Councillor Sugathan R Quashed Over Procedural Lapses Under KAAPA: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has set aside the preventive detention of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation Councillor Sugathan R under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA), finding serious procedural lapses in the detention process. The petition was filed by his wife, Aswathi G R, challenging…
Judgment
Disability Does Not Extinguish Husband’s Duty to Maintain Wife, Kerala HC Upholds ₹10,000 Monthly Maintenance: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed R.P.F.C. No. 122 of 2024 and upheld an order directing the petitioner to pay ₹10,000 per month as maintenance to the respondent. The case arose from M.C. No. 137 of 2019 before the Family Court, Kottayam at Ettumanoor. The petitioner and respondent married on 1 August 2015. It was…
Judgment
YouTuber Thoppi Granted Anticipatory Bail, Kerala High Court Notes No Obscene or Sexually Coloured Remarks Were Directly Made by Him: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Muhammed Nihad @ Thoppi in a case registered by Manjeri Police in Malappuram district over alleged objectionable remarks and the unauthorised display of a woman's photographs and videos during a YouTube livestream. The order was passed by Justice Dr. Kauser…
Judgment
Bar Council Directed to Update List of Advocates Who Have Not Cleared AIBE Since 2021: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has directed the Bar Council of Kerala to update its list of advocates from 2021 onwards in relation to compliance with the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V. M. on 23rd September, 2026. The…
Judgment
Domestic Violence Case Cannot Be Quashed Merely Due to Delay: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Mathews Wilson and Gracy Wilson, seeking to quash proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-III, Thrissur. Mathews Wilson, aged 43, is the husband of Anu Mol, aged 38, while…
Judgment
Consensual Relationship Cannot Constitute an Offence Due to Failed Promise of Marriage, FIR Quashed: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court considered a case involving Zahid Shanavas, who was the sole accused in Crime No. 219 of 2026 of Vazhakkulam Police Station, Ernakulam. The case concerned allegations that he had sexual intercourse with the de facto complainant after promising to marry her and later asked her to abort a child…
Judgment
Married Woman Voluntarily Accompanying Man to Hotel Cannot Claim Sexual Relationship Was Induced by Promise of Marriage: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court at Ernakulam has quashed an FIR and all further proceedings against Habibur Rahman, the sole accused in a case registered at Kovalam Police Station. The case alleged that he promised to marry the de facto complainant, took her to a hotel on 3 November 2025, and had sexual intercourse with her…
Judgment
Love Relationship Has No Relevance When Victim Is a Minor, 10-Year POCSO Sentence Upheld: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed the criminal appeal filed by Reji and upheld his conviction and sentence in a case involving the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl. Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment on September 1, 2026, holding that an alleged love relationship or consensual sexual activity has no…
Judgment
NIA Cannot Recover Salary Paid to Public Prosecutor During Deputation Based on Subsequent Pay Re-Fixation: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has delivered a significant verdict stating that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) cannot recover salary paid to a Public Prosecutor during his deputation period based on a subsequent pay re-fixation. The court observed that the pay fixed at the time of deputation and the subsequent…
Judgment
Christian Women Allowed to File Divorce Cases Where They Currently Reside: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has held that a Christian wife seeking dissolution of marriage can file her divorce petition before the District Court or Family Court having jurisdiction over the place where she is residing when the petition is filed. The Court clarified that this remains possible even if the marriage was…
Judgment
Reporting an Official Arrest Without Defamatory Intent Cannot Attract Criminal Case: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal defamation proceedings against the Chief Editor, Editor and Reporter of Malayala Manorama, holding that merely reporting an official arrest on the basis of an official occurrence report does not automatically amount to criminal defamation. The Court emphasised that the…
Judgment
Placing a Vibrating Device on a Minor Victim's Vaginal Opening Constitutes Penetrative Sexual Assault: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by a man convicted of sexually assaulting a minor girl in Ernakulam in 2019. The court confirmed the 10-year rigorous imprisonment awarded by the Fast Track Special Court, Perumbavoor, and upheld the conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences…
Order
Person Availing Services of Sex Worker 'Induces Prostitution', Can Be Prosecuted Under Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act: Kerala High Court
A major judgment was delivered by the Kerala High Court on 21st July 2025 in the case involving Sarath Chandran, a 34-year-old resident of Thiruvananthapuram, who was the 3rd accused in Crime No.331/2021 registered at Peroorkada Police Station. The case was registered under various provisions of the Immoral Traffic…
Order
Chinese Loan App Scam: Kerala High Court Grants Bail to Third Accused Citing Non-Furnishing of Grounds of Arrest to His Relative: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, granted regular bail to Anto Paul Prakash, the third accused in the alleged Chinese Loan App scam case. He was arrested on January 30, 2025, and had been in custody since that date. The case involves offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as well as…
Order
Post Office Can Forfeit Interest on Excess PPF Contribution Made by Guardian in Minors' Accounts Even After They Attain Majority: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court, in a significant ruling under the Public Provident Fund Scheme, 1968, has held that the post office is legally entitled to forfeit interest accrued on contributions made in excess of permissible limits to minor’s PPF accounts. The judgment was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justice…
Order
Fashion Gold Scam: Bail Granted to Ex-MLA Kamarudheen and Another Accused of Siphoning Over ₹20 Crore: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on September 9, 2025, granted regular bail to former MLA M.C. Kamarudheen and his associate T.K. Pookoya Thangal, in a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, involving alleged siphoning of over Rs. 20 crores from investors. The Court found no strong prima facie…
![[Article 226] Writ Courts Can't Direct Banks to Not Cancel One Time Settlement Facility Granted to Customers: Kerala High Court](https://law4u.in/newsImage-location/newsImage6197.webp)
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[Article 226] Writ Courts Can't Direct Banks to Not Cancel One Time Settlement Facility Granted to Customers: Kerala High Court
In a recent decision, the Kerala High Court ruled that a party cannot seek a writ under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to direct a bank not to cancel the One Time Settlement (OTS) facility granted to it. The court clarified that writ jurisdiction is not the appropriate remedy for issues arising from the…
![[S.276 CrPC] Permitting Filing of Chief Affidavit of Material Witness as Evidence in Criminal Case Prejudices Accused: Kerala High Court](https://law4u.in/newsImage-location/newsImage6194.webp)
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[S.276 CrPC] Permitting Filing of Chief Affidavit of Material Witness as Evidence in Criminal Case Prejudices Accused: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court, in a judgment delivered on September 2025, acquitted Askaf, the appellant in Crl. A. No. 447 of 2014, after finding that the Sessions Court had illegally accepted chief affidavits of prosecution witnesses as evidence. The division bench led by Justice Johnson John ruled that such a practice…
Order
10-Day Leave Granted to Life Convict Pursuing LLB Course to Attend Internship: Kerala High Court
Kerala High Court recently allowed a life convict, currently pursuing a three-year LL.B. course, to take 10-day ordinary leave from prison to attend a mandatory legal internship, citing educational rights of prisoners under judicial precedents and correctional laws. Prisoner undergoing life sentence for murder seeks…
Order
Sending Money to Complainant's Relative Not Proof of Crime, Anticipatory Bail Granted to Woman Accused of Trafficking: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court, while dealing with a plea for anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, granted relief to a woman named Aparna Nair, who was accused of being involved in trafficking two children to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The case raised serious allegations, including…
Order
Petroleum Outlet Can Be Opened Near College, Siting Criteria Restricts Only Schools & Hospitals: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently ruled that colleges do not fall within the ambit of sensitive locations as per the siting criteria for petroleum retail outlets under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. The judgment was delivered by Justice S. Manu in W\.P.(C). No. 12226 of 2025, titled Bindhu…
Order
Chain Snatching | Recovery of Stolen Items Not Enough for Conviction Without Identification of Accused: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court, in a significant ruling, has held that a person cannot be convicted solely on the basis of recovery of stolen items unless the recovery is corroborated by other supporting evidence proving the person's involvement in the theft. The judgment was delivered by Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath in…
Order
Creating 'Hostile Environment' for Employee at Work Not Covered Under Scope of PoSH Act: Kerala High Court
In a key judgment interpreting the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Kerala High Court has ruled that allegations relating solely to a hostile work environment, without any element of sexual conduct or advances, do not fall within the definition of sexual…
Order
Allegations of False Promise of Marriage Unsustainable When Victim Is in Subsisting Marriage: Kerala High Court
Kerala High Court, through Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, granted conditional bail to a police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman over several years under the false promise of marriage. The accused, Mahesh V.M, is currently serving as a Sub-Inspector in the Kerala Armed Police Battalion. The bail was granted…
Delay in Challenging Family Court Orders in Matrimonial Disputes Can Be Fatal as Parties May Alter Their Marital Status: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has observed that delay in challenging orders passed by Family Courts in matrimonial disputes, particularly in matters relating to dissolution of marriage, can be fatal because parties may alter their marital status after the expiry of the appeal period. The Court emphasized that great care and…
About the Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court was established in 1956. It has jurisdiction over the state of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
Seat
Ernakulam
State / UT
Kerala
Region
South India
