Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 300 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 315Nominal IndexGigi Varghese v. The Village Officer and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 300Aboobacker Siddique and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 301Hayarunisa Abdul Hakkim v. The Director General of Police and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 302Prof. Dr. K.S. Anilkumar v. Dr. Mohan Kunnummal, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 303Rajesh K....
Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 300 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 315
Nominal Index
Gigi Varghese v. The Village Officer and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 300
Aboobacker Siddique and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 301
Hayarunisa Abdul Hakkim v. The Director General of Police and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 302
Prof. Dr. K.S. Anilkumar v. Dr. Mohan Kunnummal, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 303
Rajesh K. v. Asokan P.K. and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 304
Moh Farmaan and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 305
RP 288/2026 in JPP 1/2026, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 306
Greeny Tomy and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 307
Sujithra P.A. v. Anishkumar T.R., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 308
XXX v. The District Collector and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 309
Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly v. State Of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 310
M/s Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Ors. v. Directorate of Enforcement, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 311
Union of India and Anr. v. Sreedev Namboodiri and Ors. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 312
XXX and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 313
Ebin A.V. v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 314
Puthur Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Sethumadhavan and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 315
Judgements/ Orders This Week
Case Title: Gigi Varghese v. The Village Officer and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 300
The Kerala High Court has asked gram panchayats in the State that in case they receive genuine complaints, they must swiftly act on it and remove wild vegetation from vacant private property/residential plots where owner is unidentifiable, as such spots can become a breeding ground for snakes posing a threat to life of residents.
In doing so the court held that a Gram Panchayat cannot refuse to remove dangerous nuisances from private property merely because the owner of the land has not been identified. It said that public safety obligations under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 empower Panchayats to take immediate remedial action and recover the expenses later from the owner once identified.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan was delivering the judgment in a case arising from complaints regarding an abandoned plot overgrown with vegetation and wild grass adjacent to the petitioner's residence in Alappuzha district.
Case Title: Aboobacker Siddique and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 301
The Kerala High Court recently held that an accused would be entitled to default bail if the final report was e-filed by the police after 5 p.m. on the last day of the statutory period prescribed.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath reasoned that since, as per Electronic Filing Rules for Courts (Kerala), 2021, e-filings made after 5 pm are deemed to have been instituted on the next working day, the final report would be deemed to have been filed on the day after the statutory period.
Case Title: Hayarunisa Abdul Hakkim v. The Director General of Police and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 302
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 1) directed all the Family Courts in Kerala to follow the Calcutta High Court's guidelines on child custody and parenting plan until a State specific rule is framed.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M issued the order, while disposing of a habeas corpus petition.
The habeas corpus petition was filed by a mother, who is the natural guardian of a minor child on the ground that despite a decree passed by the Family Court granting permanent custody to her, the father of the child illegally removed the child from her custody while the child was in school and without informing her.
Bharat Mata Portrait Row: High Court Closes Contempt Case Against Kerala University VC For Defying Order To Reinstate Registrar
Case Title: Prof. Dr. K.S. Anilkumar v. Dr. Mohan Kunnummal
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 303
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (02 June) closed the contempt petition filed against Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohan Kunnummel for failing to implement the University Syndicate's decision reinstating Professor Dr. K.S. Anil Kumar as the Registrar.
Justice Viju Abraham, closed the contempt petition on the request of the counsel for the contempt petitioner.
“Counsel for the Petitioner submits that no further orders are required in this case. Accordingly, the above contempt case is closed.” the Court ordered.
Case Title: Rajesh K. v. Asokan P.K. and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 304
The Kerala High Court has recently held that a statutory demand notice issued under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, must expressly specify the amount demanded to invoke the offence of cheque dishonour.
Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment in an appeal challenging the acquittal of an accused in a cheque dishonour case involving a cheque for ₹95,000.
Case Title: Moh Farmaan and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 305
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 3) granted transit anticipatory bail to the husband of viral Kumb Mela star, Mohammed Farmaan, who is arrayed as an accused in a crime registered by the Madhya Pradesh police based on her father's complaint.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath granted a month's time to the first petitioner, Farmaan, to approach the courts in Madhya Pradesh for seeking bail.
Case No: RP 288/2026 in JPP 1/2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 306
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 3) allowed a plea by the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) seeking to review a judgment that mandated the SHO (Station House Officers) concerned to file affidavits confirming identity of the petitioners in cases seeking defreezing of bank accounts.
When the matter came up for consideration before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., Advocate Peeyus A. Kottam, KHCAA President, submitted that the matter can be disposed of by confirming the observations made in paragraphs 11 to 13 of the interim order passed on March 25.
Case Title: Greeny Tomy and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 307
The Kerala High Court has upheld a person's "posthumous bodily integrity" which would include their right to donate their body executed during the person's lifetime, noting that the law strives to honour the wishes of the deceased and protects their interests.
In doing so, the Court upheld a deceased woman's wish to donate her body for anatomical purposes, over subsequent objections raised by family members seeking burial according to religious customs.
A Division Bench comprising Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. were delivering the judgment in an appeal moved by the woman's children challenging a Single Judge's order while allowed the retention and proposed use of the body of their deceased mother for anatomical purposes. Against this, the children moved an appeal.
Case Title: Sujithra P.A. v. Anishkumar T.R.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 308
The Kerala High Court has observed that delay in challenging Family Court orders on matrimonial disputes, especially on dissolution of marriages, is fatal as parties may alter their marital status.
A Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. observed:
“In matrimonial disputes especially in the matters relating to dissolution of marriage, delay in challenging the order of the Family Court is fatal as there are chances of parties altering their status after the appeal period… Great care and caution has to be exercised while condoning the delay in filing the application for setting aside ex parte decrees after the appeal period as it has the effect of affecting the rights of third parties.”
Case Title: XXX v. The District Collector and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 309
The Kerala High Court has clarified that persons with Down Syndrome would fall within the purview of the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
Justice C.S. Dias was considering a writ petition filed by the father of a Down Syndrome patient after his application to be his daughter's guardian was rejected by the District Collector.
Kerala High Court Rejects Jolly Joseph's Plea Against Order Allowing Examination Of Expert Who Gave Opinion On Allegedly Forged Will
Case Title: Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly v. State Of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 310
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 4) upheld a trial court order which had allowed State's application to examine an expert witness who had given opinion regarding certain documents, including a Will, which was allegedly forged by the Jolly Joseph accused of murdering her family.
Justice C.S. Dias upheld the trial court order that allowed the prosecution's plea had issued summons to the witness. Against this order, Jolly Joseph had moved the High Court.
Case Title: M/s Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Ors. v. Directorate of Enforcement
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 311
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 5) dismissed an appeal by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and its officials challenging an order of the Single Bench that dismissed their plea to quash the proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged case of misappropriation of public funds.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar has upheld the single judge's order.
Case Title: Union of India and Anr. v. Sreedev Namboodiri and Ors. and connected case
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 312
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 4) dismissed as infructuous the appeals filed by the Central government, the CBFC and the producer challenging a single judge's common interim order passed in pleas challenging certification granted to 'Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond' film which was released on February 27.
The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice A.K. Preeta, however, left open the question of law raised by the CBFC and Union regarding maintainability of private interest litigations challenging certification granted to a film alleging disrepute to a State. Earlier this week, the Single Judge had dismissed the writ petitions challenging the certification of the film.
Case Title: XXX and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 313
In an exercise of its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the Kerala High Court recently ordered for the addition of father's name in the birth certificate of a child born when parents were living together.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan was considering a plea by the parents of the child, whose birth certificate recorded only the mother's name but left the father's name as 'blank'.
Case Title: Ebin A.V. v. State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 314
The Kerala High Court recently observed that potency test can be conducted on a man, who is accused in a criminal case, without his consent and it is not violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Justice A. Badharudeen rejected the ground raised that the potency test conducted without informed consent violated his right to privacy and bodily integrity guaranteed under Article 21.
Case Title: Puthur Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Sethumadhavan and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 315
The Kerala High Court recently clarified that the creditors of a co-operative society can recover the amounts deposited by invoking Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. observed that the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1986 do not take away the rights of creditors to invoke the Consumer Protection Act to recover the deposits.
Other Important Developments This Week
Case No: Crl.A 609/ 2026
Case Title: Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors.
Hearing an anticipatory bail plea of the HOD of the College wherein a dental student allegedly committed suicide, the Kerala High Court on Monday (June 1) orally expressed concern at the seriousness of the matter, remarking that students were being treated cruelly in medical colleges in the State noting that there were many complaints.
During the hearing, Justice A Badharudeen orally said:
"In Kerala, medical colleges are ruining students. No doubt about it. They are very cruelly treating students, even PG students. Many complaints. Very, very serious matter...Generally.. I am not saying that you have done it.. Generally, these are very very serious allegations."
Case Title: M/s Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Ors. v. Directorate of Enforcement
Case No: WA 1140/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 1) reserved its verdict in the appeal filed by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and its officials challenging an order of the Single Bench that dismissed a plea seeking to quash the proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged case of misappropriation of public funds.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar heard detailed arguments advanced by Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appearing for the appellants, ASGI AR L Sundaresan and Zoheb Hossain (Special Counsel) appearing for the ED.
Case No: WP(C) No. 2026
Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 1) questioned the Union of India over its inquiry into sunken Liberian-flagged vessel 'MSC Elsa 3', orally remarking that due to the non-completion of inquiry the liberty of the foreign crew members is being after as they are not being permitted to return the their respective countries.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the oral observation while hearing the writ petition filed by the captain and six other crew members of the ship that sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25, 2025, causing grave environmental, ecological and economic damages. The petitioners claimed that they have not been permitting to leave India due to a pending inquiry in relation to the sinkage and had sought to return to their homes.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors and connected case
Case No: WP(C) 42844/ 2025 and connected case
The Kerala High Court has directed the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) to ensure the immediate and complete disbursal of victim compensation from funds already allocated by State Government, while calling for updated information on whether any additional compensation has become payable in the meantime.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. also directed the Member Secretary to file a report confirming that the entire amount earmarked for victims' compensation has been released to beneficiaries. The Secretary has also been asked to indicate whether further sums have accrued and are now due under victim compensation schemes.
Case No: Con.Case(C) No.1363/2026
Case Title: Thilakeshwari @ Sheela Kurian v. G. Sparjan Kumar IPS
The Kerala High Court has asked the State to verify compliance of its earlier order directing consideration of a representation by film producer Sheela Kurian seeking action against Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhu Babu for his alleged misbehaviour towards her.
In December, the High Court had directed the Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam range to consider Kurian's representation seeking action against DSP Babu alleging improper behaviour by him when she visited his office in connection with a criminal complaint.
Case No: B.A. No. 1644 of 2026
Case Title: Moh Farmaan and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 2) reserved verdict in the transit anticipatory bail plea moved by viral Kumbh Mela star and her husband in an FIR lodged after her father filed a complaint before Madhya Pradesh police alleging abduction of his daughter.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath reserved his verdict after hearing arguments by the parties. Earlier in the day the court had permitted the petitioners' to amend their anticipatory bail petition. The court said that it will pronounce the verdict on Wednesday.
Case No: WA 1113/ 2026 and connected cases
Case Title: Union of India and Anr. v. Sreedev Namboodiri and Ors. and connected case
The Union Government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CFBC) have moved the Kerala High Court in appeal against a single judge's common interim order passed in pleas challenging certification granted to 'Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond' film which was released on February 27.
The appellants have challenged the order which upheld the maintainability of the petitions opposing censor certificate, wherein the single judge had held that petitioners in two of the writ petitions had sufficiently proved their locus standi, individual grievances and the maintainability of the pleas.
When the matter came up on Wednesday (June 3) before the Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice A.K. Preeta, Advocate Maitreyi Hegde appearing for one of the writ petitioners submitted that the Single Bench had dismissed the plea as 'infructuous' two days back.
Case No: OP(C) 1129/2026
Case Title: Superintendent of Police and Anr v. Sankaran Nair (Died) and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 4) further extended the time granted to the State to resolve the issue over proposed eviction of families residing in the contentious Malayodamthuruthu in Ernakulam district.
On May 25, a period of 2 weeks was granted to the State, after it was submitted that efforts are being made to peacefully resolve the issues.
Justice T.R. Ravi granted two more weeks till June 16. In the meanwhile, the High Court has asked the Munsiff Court not to pass orders in the execution proceedings pending before it.
Case Title: Jojo Jose v. The Chief Secretary and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 114/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 4) directed the State to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken pursuant to the FIR filed over alleged "attack" on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials following the agency's search operation at the residence of former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter on May 27.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M passed the order in a PIL petition filed by an advocate seeking CBI enquiry into the incident.
The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) has issued a notice on June 3 warning lawyers against making and sharing of reels and videos in the High Court premises.
In the notice, the KHCAA has stated that such acts do not keep with the dignity and ethics of advocates. It also referred to Section 49(1)(c) of the Advocates Act and the Bar Council of India Rules, which prohibits such conduct.
The Kerala High Court's District Court Case Management System (DCMS) has been awarded the Gold Award in the National awards for e-Governance which aims to recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
The National Awards for e-Governance has awards in seven categories. DCMS is awarded Gold award in the second category which is for Innovation by Use of AI and Other New Age Technologies for Providing Citizen-centric services (State & State PSUs). There were a total of 104 nominations in the category.
Case No: RP 571/ 2026 (Filing No.) in El.Pet. 1/2025
Case Title: Joshi Villadom v. Suresh Gopi
Independent candidate Joshi Villadom moved the Kerala High Court seeking to review the dismissal of his election petition challenging the victory of Union Minister Suresh Gopi from Thrissur Parliamentary Constituency in 2024. Villadom has sought for the review of the judgment alleging that he was not heard.
The review petition, which was unnumbered, was posted today (June 5) before Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath after the Registry had noted three defects.
2017 Actress Assault Case: Survivor Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Fresh, Comprehensive Probe Into 'Memory Card Leak'
Case No: WP(Crl.) 871/2026
Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The survivor of the 2017 Actress Assault case has moved the Kerala High Court seeking a fresh, comprehensive and court-monitored probe into the alleged illegal access of the memory card which contained visuals of the assault.
Notably, last year the trial court had acquitted actor Dileep an accused in the case, while finding six others guilty.