Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 186 - 195]Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors. & Ernakulam Kshethra Kshema Samithi v. Cochin Devaswom Board and Ors.,2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 186XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 187Human Rights Foundations v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 188The Regional Manager, Food Corporation of India v. Mohandas, 2026 LiveLaw...
Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 186 - 195]
Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors. & Ernakulam Kshethra Kshema Samithi v. Cochin Devaswom Board and Ors.,2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 186
XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 187
Human Rights Foundations v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 188
The Regional Manager, Food Corporation of India v. Mohandas, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 189
Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 190
Joshi Villadom v. Suresh Gopi, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 191
K.B. Soman v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 192
XXX and Anr. v. YYY and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 193
The High Power Committee For Implemention of the Sabarimala Master Plan v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 194
High Court of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 195
Judgments/ Orders This Week
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors. & Ernakulam Kshethra Kshema Samithi v. Cochin Devaswom Board and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 186
The Kerala High Court recently held that temple property purchased using public funds collected from devotees cannot be held in the name of Advisory Committee and must absolutely vest in the deity.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar found that the property of the Ernakulam Shiva Temple purchased under the scheme “Ernakulathappanu Oradi Mannu” (One Foot Land for Lord Shiva) was usurped by the Ernakulam Kshetra Kshema Samithi, which had previously acted as the Temple Advisory Committee.
Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 187
The Kerala High Court recently directed that a custody of a minor child be given to his father while considering a habeas corpus plea filed by the father alleging neglect by the child's mother and grandmother, leading him to lodged in an orphanage.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar interacted with the child during the course of the proceedings and noted that the child wished to be with his father.
Case Title: Human Rights Foundations v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 188
The Kerala High Court has directed the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer in the State to look into the enforcement of ban on PVC flex and other non-recyclable plastic advertisement materials, in accordance with the existing Government Orders and statutory provisions, in the wake of the General Assembly Elections.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M issued the direction while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent intervention to enforce an existing statewide ban on PVC flex and other non-recyclable plastic materials.
Case Title: The Regional Manager, Food Corporation of India v. Mohandas
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 189
The Kerala High Court has held that absence of formal notice under Section 10 of the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, does not bar an employee's compensation claim where the employer had prior knowledge of the accident.
Justice S. Manu delivered the judgment in an appeal against an order by the Employees Compensation Commission, granting compensation to the respondent for injuries sustained in an accident during the course of his employment under the appellant.
Kerala High Court Rejects Plea To Stall Movie Allegedly Inspired By Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case
Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 190
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 7) dismissed the plea preferred against the release of movie 'Kaalam Paranja Kadha', which is allegedly inspired by the Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case.
The plea was preferred by the father of the accused, who stated that the movie may prejudice the trial in the case, which is still pending before the Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas pronounced the order.
Case Title: Joshi Villadom v. Suresh Gopi
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 191
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (07 April) dismissed an Election Petition filed against Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi challenging his election from Thrissur Parliamentary Constituency.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath pronounced the order today in the open Court in a plea filed by Joshi Villadom, who has contested as an Independent Candidate from Thrissur Parliamentary Constituency in 2024 Parliamentary Elections.
Case Title: K.B. Soman v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 192
The Kerala High Court has ordered the State government to conduct a performance audit of the two Vigilance Tribunals formed under the State Civil Service (Vigilance Tribunal) Rules, after noting that the maximum five cases were disposed off by the tribunal annually while the expenditure incurred exceeded Rs. 1 crore.
Justice K. Babu was considering a plea seeking a time-bound disposal of a vigilance enquiry pending since 2021 pertaining to allegations of corruption relating to creation of forged pattayam by one B.A. Muhammed with the connivance with a person who was the General Manager of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd.
Case Title: XXX and Anr. v. YYY and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 193
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition filed by two practicing advocates, who sought to keep in abeyance the execution proceedings of their former client in a land acquisition reference proceedings, over unpaid legal fees.
Noting that the engagement of the petitioners as lawyers was terminated by the clients, owing to disputes relating to Advocates fees, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that an advocate has no right to halt proceedings until his claim is settled.
Case Title: The High Power Committee For Implemention of the Sabarimala Master Plan v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 194
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 7) appointed retired Justice V.G. Arun as the Chairman of the High Power Committee for implementation of the Sabarimala Master Plan.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar noted that since the previous Chairman, Retd. Justice S. Siri Jagan, had passed away earlier this year, it was necessary to appointment a new Chairman for ensuring continued and uninterrupted functioning of the Committee.
Kerala High Court Closes Plea Seeking Clearance For Court Infrastructure Work After EC Approval
Case Title: High Court of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 195
The Kerala High Court on Friday (10 April) disposed of a writ petition filed by its own Registry after recording that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had approved a proposal permitting maintenance work during the subsistence of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. noted that the ECI had conveyed its approval for Maintenance through a communication dated April 8, 2026, addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer(CEO), Kerala.
Other Important Developments This Week
Crowd Cap, AI-Based Drone Surveillance: Kerala High Court Gives Detailed Suggestions To Improve Pilgrim Management At Sabarimala
Case No: WP(C) No. 8529 of 2026
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court has given detailed suggestions for improving pilgrim management at Sabarimala during the 2026-2027 season, including setting a cap of pilgrim inflow at 80,000 devotees daily, setting up of an institutional framework, improved technology to manage crowds, online payment and booking systems, etc.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition registered for the purpose of continuous monitoring by the Court to ensure conduct of pilgrimage in a safe, orderly, environmentally responsible, and pilgrim-centric manner.
A plea has been moved before the Kerala High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection Of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026.
The Act received asset of the President on March 30 and has come into force with immediate effect.
Case No: WP(C) No. 8176 of 2026 and connected cases
Case Title: Kerala Private Hospital Association v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected cases
The Kerala Private Hospitals Association on Monday (April 06) told the High Court that the strike undertaken by the nurses association in the State was illegal for being violative of the provisions of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and amounted to an unfair labour practice.
Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim was considering a batch of petitions, including a plea preferred by the Kerala Private Hospital Association and pleas by certain private hospital seeking intervention to address the indefinite strike called in the State by the members of the Kerala United Nurses Association (UNA).
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 07) orally asked the Centre whether a person already undergoing a hormonal sex replacement therapy, be affected due to their alleged exclusion from the definition of 'transgender person' by virtue of the Transgender Persons (Protection Of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas raised the query while hearing two pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Amendment Act, which had received assent of the President on March 30 and had come into force with immediate effect.
Case Title: Shaji J. Kodankandath v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 37/2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (06 April) directed the Revenue Secretary to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken pursuant to the Vigilance Enquiry Report regarding the procurement process tied to the state's Digital Survey Project.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Shaji J. Kodankandath against the State of Kerala and other respondents.
Kerala High Court Directs Urgent Action On Dangerous Road Conditions Near Kochi Metro Pillars
Case Title: Pauly Vadakkan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 81/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (07 April) directed immediate corrective action to address hazardous road conditions along metro rail corridors in Kochi, following a Public Interest Litigation highlighting safety risks and fatal accidents.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. considered averments highlighting multiple instances of road surface sinking near metro pillar pile caps, allegedly leading to accidents and loss of life.
Kerala High Court Pushes For Urgent Clearance Of Court Infrastructure Works Amid Model Code Of Conduct
Case No: WP(C) 14202/2026
Case Title: High Court of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 7) directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to expedite the process for granting permission to undertake the urgent infrastructural works required in the High Court and other courts in view of the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the State due to the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. directed the CEO to immediately forward to the Screening Committee the Registrar's letter dated 21.03.2026 requesting grant of exemptions from the MCC to permit the Public Works Department (PWD) to do the necessary civil, electrical and electronic works in courts scheduled during summer vacation.
Case No: WA No. 795 of 2026
Case Title: Janvin Cleetus v. Union of India and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (April 6) admitted the appeal challenging a Single Bench judgment which held that exclusion of transgender persons from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) does not currently violate the Constitution of India.
The Division Bench of Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishnan Kumar also issued notice to the Central and State Governments, NCC, and other respondents in the plea.
The High-Powered Election Supervisory Committee constituted pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court of India has permitted advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Kerala and practising in the Supreme Court to submit representations seeking inclusion of their names in the voter list for the polling booth proposed to be set up in the Supreme Court premises for the upcoming Bar Council elections.
Kerala High Court Directs Urgent Steps To Ensure Postal Ballots For Voters On Election Duty
Case Title: Kerala N.G.O Union v. Election Commission of India
Case No: WP(C) 14279/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (08 April) directed immediate corrective steps to ensure that election duty personnel receive their postal ballots without delay.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order while considering a writ petition filed by the Kerala N.G.O. Union, which had alleged large-scale denial of voting rights to government officials deployed for election duty.
Case No: SSCR No. 6 of 2026
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court has identified deep-rooted and systemic deficiencies in the financial management of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), and has directed for urgent structural reforms, including the rollout of a centralized computerized accounting system across temples under its control.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner's report regarding the audited accounts of the Travancore Devaswom Board relating to the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on September 29, 2025.
Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025
Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish
The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 10) ordered the personal appearance of the Principal Secretary, Industries Department (Cashew) of the State government in a contempt plea initiated for denying sanction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).
The plea was moved after the State again declined nod for CBI prosecution, despite a previous direction of the High Court in Kadakampally Manoj v. State of Kerala and Ors. setting aside State's first order refusing to grant sanction in the matter.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 10) directed the continuance of hormone replacement therapy for two transgender persons challenging the validity of Transgender Persons (Protection Of Rights) Amendment Act 2026, after noting that the same was "abruptly" stopped following the recent amendments to the 2019 Act.
After hearing the submissions for some time Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued notice on the petitions and directed that the order is "qualified by the condition" that the petitioners have already commenced treatment.
Central Forensic Science Lab To Be Established In Thiruvananthapuram, Centre Tells Kerala High Court
Case No: W.P.(C) No. 16773 of 2020
Case Title: Kerala State Legal Services Authorities v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Central Government on Friday (April 10) informed the Kerala High Court that it has identified a place in Thiruvananthapuram to set up a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL).
The Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) submitted before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran that she received instructions from the Directorate of Forensic Science Services that the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of a CFSL in Kerala and a place has already been identified in Trivandrum vide a communication dated 03/09/2024.
Case Title: Treasa K.J v. State of Kerala
Case No: RP 165/ 2026 in WP(C) 23911/ 2018
The Kerala High Court on Friday (10 April) directed the District Collector's Committee and the Municipal Corporation to complete the Pre-Monsoon works in the Kochi city in war-footing.
Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering the review petition in a petition concerning the upkeep of Perandoor Canal.
Case Title: Kerala State Legal Service Authority v. Government of Kerala and Others
Case No: WP(C) No. 8600 of 2025
The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 10) remarked that there was no impediment to approve the draft Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after being informed that the Chief Electoral Officer has given the green signal for a Cabinet meeting amid the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
While considering a public interest litigation moved by KeLSA (Kerala State Legal Services Authority), seeking stronger laws to combat the menace of ragging within educational institutions, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran orally remarked:
"Now you convene a meeting and finish off the matter."
The Kerala High Court on Friday (10 April) held a farewell reference in honour of Justice K. Babu, who is set to retire on May 7, 2026, upon attaining the age of superannuation.
Members of the Bench, Bar, and legal fraternity gathered in full strength ahead of the court's annual vacation to pay tribute to Justice K Babu.
In his farewell address Justice Babu emphasised that the strength of the High Court lies in its exceptionally efficient and erudite Bar.
Kerala High Court Collegium Recommends Elevation Of Five Judicial Officers As HC Judges
The Kerala High Court Collegium has recommended the names of five judicial officers for elevation as High Court Judges.
The recommendations are made based on the seniority of the District Judges.