Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226 - 231] XXX and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226The Manager, Majlis English Medium School and Anr. v The Deputy Labour Commissioner and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 227Danikutti Philip v. Johnykutty J. and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 228Sudheer. S and Anr. v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 229Mini Sunny v....
Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226 - 231]
XXX and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226
The Manager, Majlis English Medium School and Anr. v The Deputy Labour Commissioner and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 227
Danikutti Philip v. Johnykutty J. and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 228
Sudheer. S and Anr. v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 229
Mini Sunny v. Thuravoor Grama Panchayat and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 230
Muslim Girls' Higher Secondary School v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 231
Judgments/ Orders This Week
Kerala High Court Upholds Age Limits Under Surrogacy Act, Says It's Scientifically Justified
Case Title: XXX and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition that challenged the constitutional validity of the age limit prescribed by the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 on intending couples.
Justice M.B. Snehalatha remarked that the upper age limit is scientifically justified and it is not arbitrary or discriminatory.
Case Title: The Manager, Majlis English Medium School and Anr. v The Deputy Labour Commissioner and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 227
The Kerala High Court has held that alleged procedural lapses such as denial of additional time to adduce evidence, do not automatically justify bypassing statutory appellate remedies to approach High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Justice Gopinath P was delivering the judgment in a writ petition filed by Majlis English Medium School challenging an order of the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
Case Title: Danikutti Philip v. Johnykutty J. and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 228
The Kerala High Court has clarified that the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 can be attracted in cases where part payment has been done only if the presented cheque has recorded indorsement of such payment.
Justice A. Badharudeen clarified the position of law after relying on Dashrathbhai Trikambhai Patel v. Hitesh Mahendrabhai Patel and Another:
Case Title: Sudheer. S and Anr. v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 229
The Kerala High Court has recently observed that local authorities cannot deny statutory and constitutional rights to establish industrial units merely due to protests lacking factual or legal basis.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, made the observation while delivering a judgment in a writ petition filed by two entrepreneurs whose licensed hot mix plant project had been stalled for years due to resistance from a section of local residents.
Case Title: Mini Sunny v. Thuravoor Grama Panchayat and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 230
The Kerala High Court, in a recent decision, held that mere drying of latex sheet in a smoke house does not amount to 'manufacture' and therefore, the same does not require licence from the panchayat.
Justice P.M. Manoj observed that since there is no new or different commodity coming out during smoking of latex sheets, the same would not be 'manufacture' and licence is not required. Moreover, the allegation in the petition is not that sheets are being stored or sold but only dried; therefore, licence would not be required, the Court opined.
Case Title: Muslim Girls' Higher Secondary School v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 231
The Kerala High Court recently questioned a government circular that mandates approval of local-self body for introducing co-education scheme in single gender schools since it prescribes no procedure that has to be followed by the body.
Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a writ petition filed by Muslim Girls' Higher Secondary School, Erattupetta challenging a government circular that insists on local body approval for introducing co-education in single-gender schools.
Other Important Developments This Week
Advocate AK Preeta Sworn In As Additional Judge Of Kerala High Court
Advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma has sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court on Monday (April 27).
Kerala High Court Issues Notice On Plea Against Blocking of MediaOne's Facebook Page
Case Title: Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited v Facebook India Online Service Private Limited and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 15985/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (28 April) issued notice on a plea filed by Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, broadcaster of Media One news channel, challenging blocking of its official Facebook page in India.
Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the notice to the respondents and directed the Central government and Meta to file counter affidavits.
Kerala High Court Stays Summons To 'The Liver Doc' In Criminal Defamation Case By Ayurvedic Company
Case Title: Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips v State of Kerala and Anr.
Case No: Crl.MC 3647/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday stayed the summons issued to hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as 'The LiverDoc' in social media, in a criminal defamation case filed against him by an Ayurvedic manufacturer over his comments that Ayurvedic herbal medicines can cause liver damage.
Justice Jobin Sebastian, while issuing notice on the doctor's petition seeking the quashing of the proceedings, ordered that the summons be deferred till May 22.
Kerala High Court Initiates Suo Motu Case Over Violence In Hartal Over Nithin Raj Death
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (28 April) initiated a suo motu case over instances of violence reported during the hartal called over the death of BDS student Nithin Raj.
The Division Bench of Justice Basant Balaji and Justice P. Krishna Kumar issued the order to initiate suo motu case based on reports that over 27 cases have been registered across State in connection with violence during the Statewide hartal.
Case Title: Adv. K. Praveen Kumar v Chief Electoral Officer Election to Kerala State Legislative Assembly
Case No: WP(C) 15896/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (28 April) directed the Chief Electoral Officer to consider and dispose of representations alleging the opening of strong room storing ballot boxes of General Election in the State within three days.
Justice K. V. Jayakumar issued the order in a plea by UDF candidate Adv. K. Praveen which alleged that the strong room located at JDT Islam Convention Centre, where the ballot boxes of the Assembly Constituencies were stored, was opened on 20.04.2026 under the supervision of officials without any prior intimation to the candidates or their Chief Agents.
Kerala High Court Questions ECI Over Alleged Denial Of Voting Rights To 20,000 Election Duty Staff
Case Title: Kerala N.G.O Union v Election Commission of India and connected matters
Case No: WP(C) 14379/ 2026 and connected matters
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 28) questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over allegations that more than 20,000 election duty staff were unable to cast their votes in the Assembly elections held on April 9.
Justice K. V. Jayakumar was hearing a batch of writ petitions alleging large-scale denial of voting rights to government officials deployed on election duty during the State Assembly polls.
Kerala High Court Invites Suggestions From Bar Members On Senior Designation Applications
The Kerala High Court has invited members of the Bar to give their suggestions on the applications received for designation of senior advocates.
This time, a total of 108 applications have been received from advocates for senior designation.
Case Title: Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Anr.
Case No: Bail Appl. 2471/2026
Dr. M. Kodanda Ram, who is alleged to be the prime accused in the suicide abetment case of Dental College student Nithin Raj, has moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
Kerala High Court Declines Relief To Polling Officials Who Couldn't Vote In State Assembly Election
Case Title: Kerala N.G.O Union v Election Commission of India and connected matters
Case No: WP(C) 14379/ 2026 and connected matters
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (30 April) declined relief to polling officers who could not vote in the general elections of the State held on April 9.
Justice K V Jayakumar passed the order.