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.
905+
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
POCSO Offence Could Not Have Been Committed Without Interposition Of Alleged Abettor Not Enough, 'Intention' Of Abettor Must Be Shown: Kerala High Court
In a significant ruling on July 3, 2024, the High Court of Kerala, presided over by Justice P.G. Ajithkumar, upheld the charge of abetment against Jeffin Kuriakose under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act). The case highlights crucial aspects of Section 17 of the POCSO Act and the…
Order
Divorce Dispute, Court Transfers Husband's Petition to Wife's Residence for Convenience: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently issued an order regarding the transfer of divorce petitions filed by a couple, John Mathew (husband) and Sarah Thomas (wife). This order highlights the application of Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) in transferring cases between courts for the convenience of parties.…
Order
Filing Appeal In Tax Matters Require Legal, Technical Assistance, Condones 11 Days Delay: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has ruled in favor of a cooperative society in a case concerning a delay in filing an income tax appeal. The judgment highlights the importance of considering the reasons behind delays and prioritizing substantial justice over technicalities. Case Details: The Meenachil Taluk Cooperative…
Order
Court Quashes Charges Against Teacher Accused of Beating Student: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has quashed charges against a teacher accused of beating a student who secured low marks in a test. The court ruled that the teacher's actions did not amount to cruelty or a violation of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. Case Details Petitioner: Jomi, Teacher at St. Joseph School, Thoduva…
Order
Insurance Ombudsman Rules, Rule 17 Empowers Ombudsman To Grant Compensation But Gives No Power To Issue Directions Upon Insurer: Kerala High Court
In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court has upheld the decision of the Insurance Ombudsman regarding the dispute over the premium charged for a Medi-claim policy. The appeal, WA No. 1349 of 2023, was dismissed by a bench comprising Honourable Mr. Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Honourable Mrs. Justice Shoba…
Order
Court asks police chief to ensure innocent persons are not arrested due to mistaken identity: Kerala High Court
In a recent judgment by the High Court of Kerala, a case involving mistaken identity and police action has brought to light crucial issues of procedural diligence and citizen rights. Background and Case Details: The petitioner, Sarah Mathew, was erroneously detained by the police on November 16, 2018, under a…
Order
Credit Available On Advance Tax Paid For Stock-Transfer: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has allowed a writ petition filed by Hillwood Furniture Pvt. Ltd., a company registered under the Kerala Value Added Tax Act, 2003 (KVAT Act), challenging an order passed by the Assistant Commissioner of Special Circle-II, Commercial Taxes (first respondent). Case Background Hillwood Furniture…
Order
Section 311 CrPC, Plea For Examining New Witnesses, Submitting Fresh Documents Should Only Be Allowed To Meet The Ends Of Justice: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant ruling in the murder trial of a 3-year-old boy (SC No. 771/2019), allowing the prosecution to gather additional evidence despite objections from the defense. The accused, Hena Khatoon and Shahajadha Khan, are facing charges for the child's death. Prosecution Seeks…
Order
Court Quashes Charges Under Section 306 IPC in Suicide Abetment Case: Kerala High Court
Ernakulam: In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court quashed the charges against Murali alias Muralidharan and his wife Sajini P.R. in a case of alleged abetment of suicide. The case was under Section 306 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), pertaining to the abetment of suicide. Case Background…
Order
Suryanelli Rape: Kerala High Court stays adverse observation against ex-DGP for revealing details of survivor
In a recent development, the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam, comprising Chief Justice A.J. Desai and Justice V.G. Arun, admitted Writ Appeal No. 841 of 2024 filed by Siby Mathews, challenging a judgment dated 06.06.2024 in WP(Crl.) 575/2023. The appellant, represented by Advocate M. Baiju Noel, sought interim…
Order
After Man Convicted For Wife's Murder Dies, Court Dismisses His Appeal Saying Children Would Not Want To Continue: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has delivered a judgment in a criminal appeal where the appellant, Reghunadan, passed away during the pendency of the case. The appeal challenged Reghunadan's conviction for the murder of his wife under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Case Details Appellant: Reghunadan (deceased)…
Order
Domestic Violence Act, Divorced Wife Can't Be Evicted From 'Shared Household' Except With Procedure Established By Law: Kerala High Court
This Kerala High Court judgement clarifies a woman's right to reside in a shared household after divorce under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (D.V. Act). Case Details: Petitioner: Aisha Khan (name changed) Respondent: Rajeev Menon (name changed) The Story: Aisha Khan and Rajeev Menon were…
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
