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…
Order
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…
Order
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
Court Rules Defamatory Posts on Social Media Constitute 'Cyber Defamation' Under Section 499 IPC, Announces Upcoming Effective Cognizable Offense Law: Kerala High Court
In a recent judgment by the Kerala High Court, Justice A. Badharuideen addressed the petition filed by Satheeshkumar B R challenging the charges against him under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act (K.P Act). The Court decided not to quash the criminal proceedings,…
Order
Fair Trial Is Essential, Both Prosecution and Defense Must Be Heard Before Setting Trial Dates: Kerala High Court
In this case, the petitioner, Asanul Banna, was facing trial in the Special Court for NDPS Act Cases scheduled for 11th September 2024. However, his lawyer requested an adjournment due to a scheduling conflict with another trial. The application for adjournment was rejected by the Sessions Judge on 6th September 2024,…
Order
Accused Must Be Given A Legible Copy Of Statement Recorded By Magistrate Under Section 164 CrPC: Kerala High Court
In a significant ruling aimed at upholding the rights of the accused, the Kerala High Court directed the issuance of a legible copy of the 164 statement in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, ensuring that the accused receives all necessary documentation before the commencement of…
Order
Court Rules That Victims or Informants Must Be Notified About Removal of Names from Accused List in Final Report: Kerala High Court
In a recent judgment by the High Court of Kerala, the court addressed a significant issue related to the procedural requirements under Section 157(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C). This judgment underscores the importance of notifying the informant or victim when certain accused individuals are removed from…
Order
Court Refuses to Dismiss Case Against Publisher and Chief Editor of Newspaper for Revealing Identity of Sexual Offence Victim: Kerala High Court
The petitioners, Fr. Joseph Kuzhinjalil and Fr. Boby Alex, sought the quashment of a final report filed against them in C.C. No. 1576 of 2018, on the files of Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Angamaly, arising from Crime No. 2078/2017 of Nedumbassery Police Station. The prosecution alleged that the petitioners,…
Order
Court Rules Tourist Buses Cannot Pick Up and Drop Off Passengers Like Stage Carriages: Kerala High Cour
In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court has clarified the operational boundaries for tourist buses, specifically addressing their classification as contract carriages rather than stage carriages. This decision has important implications for how these vehicles are permitted to operate under various conditions.…
Order
Court Quashes Case Against Police Officer Over Remarks on Walayar Rape Victims, Directs DGP to Review Action Against News Channel: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has recently quashed the criminal case filed against Superintendent of Police M. P. Sojan. This case involved controversial comments made about the child victims in the Walayar rape case, which had ignited significant public outrage. Background of the Case The Walayar case involves the tragic…
Order
Vehicle Owners Cannot Be Penalised for Using Plastic Film on Windows If It Adheres to Stipulated Standards and Specifications: Kerala High Court
In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has ruled that motor vehicle owners cannot be penalized for using Safety Glass or Safety Glazing in their vehicles, provided the materials comply with the stipulated standards under Rule 100 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The case, which revolved around…
Order
Court Suggests PoSH Act Does Not Cover Sexual Harassment of Women Seeking Jobs, Recommends Government Consider Laws with a More Feminist Perspective: Kerala High Court
On September 10, 2024, the Kerala High Court, composed of Justices Dr. A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and C.S. Sudha, addressed several writ petitions and a writ appeal related to the Justice Hema Committee Report. The Court’s decision reflects concerns about delays and the State Government's lack of action despite the…
Order
NEET Aspirant with 50% Locomotor Disability to Undergo 'Functionality Assessment' Test for MBBS Admission Eligibility: Kerala High Court
A crucial judgment was passed by the High Court of Kerala on 6th September 2024 in a case involving a 17-year-old aspirant, Liya Rose Riju, who appeared for NEET 2024. The petitioner, Riju Joseph, filed a writ petition on behalf of his daughter Liya, seeking relief regarding her admission into the MBBS course. The…
Order
Court Rules Trial Must Be Postponed Under CrPC & BNSS If Accused With Alzheimer's Is Incapable of Defending Himself: Kerala High Court
In a landmark judgment by the Kerala High Court, the procedures for assessing an accused's mental health under the Criminal Procedure Code have been clarified, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluations in cases involving individuals with potential mental disabilities. Case Summary: The case in question,…
Order
Court Orders Accused to be Provided with List of Documents Not Relied On by Prosecution, Emphasizes Trial's Purpose to Unearth Truth: Kerala High Court
In the recent judgment of the Kerala High Court in Crl.M.C.No.6592 of 2024, the court addressed the interpretation and application of Rule 19(4) of the Criminal Rules of Practice, which relates to the rights of the accused in accessing documents, statements, and material objects gathered during an investigation.…
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
