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
₹36.50 Crores Authorized to Clear Victim Compensation Arrears, ₹12.26 Crores for Mediator Fee Arrears: State Tells Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has taken strict note of delays in payment of victim compensation and mediator fees, warning the State of Kerala of strong action including attachment of treasury accounts. The matter highlights serious concerns regarding implementation of victim compensation mechanisms and mediation…
Order
Courts Cannot Direct State to Take Over Churches in Religious Disputes, Takeover of Six Churches Set Aside: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on March 24, 2026 delivered a significant judgment clarifying the limits of judicial intervention in religious disputes. The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. set aside a 2024 order of a Single Judge that had directed district authorities to take…
Order
State Directed to Expedite Process of Finalising Anti-Ragging Bill at the Earliest: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has recently directed the State Government to expedite the process of finalising the Anti-Ragging Bill. The directions were issued on 10 March 2026 during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Kerala Legal Service Authority (KeLSA). The Court emphasised that the Bill must…
Order
PIL on ESIC Medical College at Kollam Disposed, MBBS Course Must Comply with NMC Norms Before Approval: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court passed an important order regarding the proposal to start an MBBS course at the ESIC Model and Super Speciality Hospital at Asramam, Kollam. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M disposed of a Public Interest Litigation while directing that the approval…
Order
Delay in Filing Complaint Not a Ground to Reject Matrimonial Cruelty Case, Section 498A IPC a Continuing Offence: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has ruled that delay in filing a complaint cannot be a ground to discard allegations of matrimonial cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. The judgment was delivered on 4 March 2026 by Justice M.B. Snehalatha while deciding a criminal revision petition filed by Praveen Kumar @…
Order
Direction to Re-Record Victim’s Statement Under Section 183 BNSS Permissible Only in Exceptional Circumstances: Allahabad High Court
The Allahabad High Court recently delivered an important judgment clarifying the scope of Section 183 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 regarding re-recording of a victim’s statement before a Magistrate. The Division Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Gupta and Justice Achal Sachdev dismissed a writ petition filed…
Order
Bail Set Aside in POCSO Case for Failure to Hear Minor Victim Under BNSS and POCSO Act: Kerala High Court
On 26 February 2026, the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam delivered a significant judgment in Crl.M.C No.516 of 2026, setting aside a bail order granted to an accused in a serious sexual assault case involving a minor boy. The judgment was delivered by Justice C. Pratheep Kumar. Petition Filed By Victim’s Father The…
Order
Stay Refused on Common Software Tender for Agricultural Credit Societies, Bid Details Sought Before Contract Award: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has refused to stay the tender process initiated by the State government for implementing a centralised Uniform Common Software for all Primary Agricultural Credit Societies. The matter was heard by Justice Gopinath P. in a writ petition filed by Kallettumkara Service Co Operative Bank Ltd.…
Order
Single Complaint Maintainable Under Section 138 NI Act for Dishonour of Multiple Cheques Issued in Same Transaction: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has held that a single complaint is maintainable for dishonour of multiple cheques when a consolidated statutory notice under Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 is issued, provided the cheques arise out of the same transaction. The judgment was delivered by Justice G Girish on 19…
Order
Co-operative Banks Granting Loans Outside Service Area Not Misappropriation Without Pecuniary Loss: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has ruled that granting loans by a co-operative bank to persons residing outside its service area does not amount to criminal misconduct or misappropriation in the absence of pecuniary loss or wrongful gain. Justice A Badharudeen delivered the judgment while allowing a criminal miscellaneous…
Order
Husband Convicted of Dowry Death Barred from Inheriting Wife’s Estate Under Indian Succession Act: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has held that a husband convicted for dowry death cannot inherit the property of his deceased wife, even though the Indian Succession Act, 1925 does not contain an express disqualification similar to Section 25 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The judgment was delivered by Justice Easwaran S in…
Order
Special Court Must Examine Police Refer Report and Issue Reasoned Order While Considering Protest Complaint Under SC/ST Act: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has clarified an important legal position regarding the duty of a Special Court while dealing with a protest complaint under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The judgment was delivered by Justice A. Badharudeen in Criminal Appeal No. 2285 of 2025…
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
