Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 63 - 81]Kamal Kumar Mandal v. State of Kerala and Anr, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 63Suo Motu v Union Government and Ors, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 64 Lunar Rubbers v Kerala Head Load And Timber Workers And Factory Workers Union(KTUC and ors and connected matter, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 65M R Ajayan v Union of India, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 66Susan K. John v. National Board...
Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 63 - 81]
Kamal Kumar Mandal v. State of Kerala and Anr, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 63
Suo Motu v Union Government and Ors, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 64
Lunar Rubbers v Kerala Head Load And Timber Workers And Factory Workers Union(KTUC and ors and connected matter, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 65
M R Ajayan v Union of India, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 66
Susan K. John v. National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 67
Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 68
K V Sabu v Registrar of Co-Operatives Societies and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 69
Prasad Somarajan v State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 70
Rajendran P. v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 71
Pattasseril Private Ltd. and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 72
Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi v State of Kerala and Ors, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 73
Nowfal v. The Secretary, Angadippuram Grama Panchayat and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 74
Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 75
Kunhikrishnan V. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 76
Abid v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 77
R. Ragavendran and Anr. v. Union of India, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 78
V.J. Joseph v. The India Cements Limited and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 79
XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 80
Moithunnykutty and Anr. v. The District Collector and Ors. & Ma'din Knowledge Garden Public School v. Assistant Educational Officer and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 81
Judgments/ Orders This Week
Case Title: Kamal Kumar Mandal v. State of Kerala and Anr
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 63
The Kerala High Court has reiterated that the quantity of contraband seized as per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) has to be specified for an effective communication of grounds of arrest to an accused.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath relied on various precedents laid down by the Apex Court and by the High Court and have summarised the principles laid down regarding effective communication of grounds of arrest.
Kerala High Court Closes Suo Motu Case On Sale Of Chemical Kumkum At Sabarimala
Case Title: Suo Motu v Union Government and Ors
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 64
The Kerala High Court has closed the suo motu proceedings initiated regarding the issue concerning the sale of chemical kumkum in Sabarimala Temple.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar was considering a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner on measures taken to ensure adequate amenities for pilgrims during the peak pilgrimage season.
Case Title: Lunar Rubbers v Kerala Head Load And Timber Workers And Factory Workers Union(KTUC and ors and connected matter
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 65
The Kerala High Court has held that a Labour Court cannot adjudicate on the legality or bona fides of an alleged closure when the reference itself is confined to the justification of retrenchment.
Justice Mohammed Nias CP was delivering the judgment in petitions challenging the Labour Court Order which directed the reinstatement of workmen who claimed to have been illegally terminated under the guise of closure.
Case Title: M R Ajayan v Union of India
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 66
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (03 February) dismissed a review petition filed by M R Ajayan, a freelance journalist, against an order of the vacation bench, imposing costs which amounted to a total of Rs 40,000.
A division bench comprising Dr Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian dismissed the review petition challenging an interim order of the Vacation bench of the Court, which found Ajayan had filed Section 8 interlocutory applications before it, without any urgency.
Case Title: Susan K. John v. National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 67
The Kerala High Court recently held that maternity leave is a right and the same cannot be clubbed with the other regular leaves taken by a National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) Trainee to cancel her candidature.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a plea preferred by a NBEMS Trainee, who got selected in the NEET Super Specialty Examination (NEET-SS) for a DrNB course after completing her MBBS and MD.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 68
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (04 February) disposed of the suo motu proceedings on custodial deaths and compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased inmates as the State informed that the Standard operating Procedure (SOP) for collection of data has been finalised.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M disposed of the petition.
Case Title: K V Sabu v Registrar of Co-Operatives Societies and Ors.
Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 69
The Kerala High Court has held that Matsyafed, the State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Limited, is a financing bank within the meaning of Section 32(2) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969.
Justice K Babu, was delivering the judgment in a petition challenging the order of supersession of the Managing Committee of a Co-operative Society.
Kerala High Court Closes PIL Seeking Compliance On Road Standards For Pedestrian Safety
Case Title: Prasad Somarajan v State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 70
The Kerala High Court has recently (29 January) closed a public interest litigation which has raised concerns regarding the pedestrian safety alongside the roads.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M disposed of the petition.
No Disability Pension Where Condition Not Attributable To Military Service: Kerala High Court
Case Title: Rajendran P. v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 71
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition challenging the order of the Armed Forces Tribunal that rejected an ex-serviceman's application against non-grant of disability pension for Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
The Division Bench of Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John held that the presumptions under the Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pensionary Awards, 1982 regarding the sound mental condition of a member upon entering service do not come in when the medical assessment does not indicate disability is attributable to or aggravated by medical service.
Case Title: Pattasseril Private Ltd. and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 72
The Kerala High Court recently held that a company that prefers a complaint for cheque dishonour can be represented by a power of attorney holder only if he/she witnessed the transaction or had direct knowledge of it.
Justice P.V. Balakrishnan observed:
“The company, being a juristic person, cannot act on its own and it must necessarily function through a human agency. A company is competent to initiate proceedings under Section 138 of NI Act and it can do so, through an authorised person. Even though, a power of attorney holder, being an authorised representative of the company, can file a complaint and give evidence, he must have either witnessed the transaction or must possess direct knowledge of the transaction.”
Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Challenging Enhancement Of Prison Wages In State
Case Title: Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi v State of Kerala and Ors
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 73
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (05 February) dismissed a public interest litigation that challenged the State Government's recent decision to enhance the wages paid to convicted prisoners.
The division bench comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M dismissed the petition.
Case Title: Nowfal v. The Secretary, Angadippuram Grama Panchayat and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 74
The Kerala High Court recently clarified that while filing writ petitions, it is necessary to mark documents with description either in the statement of facts or in the grounds.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, while considering a writ petition, noticed that the exhibits produced in it were not marked as copy of the original documents with description but were shown in brackets after stating the relevant fact. However, in the affidavit accompanying the petition, there was a statement that the documents produced are true copies of the original documents.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 75
The Kerala High Court has recently directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to prepare a list of employees to be appointed as assistants to the Melshanthis, Kazhakam, and Ulkazhakam at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, citing serious concerns over lack of oversight and the presence of individuals with criminal antecedents in temple service.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar issued the directions while disposing, a suo motu proceeding arising from the selection of Melshanthis for the Sabarimala temple and the Malikappuram Temples.
Case Title: Kunhikrishnan V. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 76
The Kerala High Court on Friday (February 6) dismissed as infructuous the plea preferred by expelled Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Kunhikrishnan V. seeking police protection due to the release of his book "Nethruthwathe Anigal Thiruthanam", which is stated to be an exposé on irregularities and mismanagement of martyrs funds and other funds by some of the leaders of CPI(M), including Payyanur MLA Madhusoodhanan T.I.
He had prayed for protection for the book release event, which was held at 5 p.m. on February 2 at Gandhi Park in Payyannur, Kannur. Today, Kunhikrishnan's counsel submitted before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas that the matter has become infructuous.
Case Title: Abid v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 77
The Kerala High Court has reiterated that a person found in possession of commercial quantity of narcotic drugs would not be eligible for grant of bail merely because of long incarceration if the twin conditions under Section 37 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are not satisfied or if he has criminal antecedents.
Dr. Kauser Edappagath was considering the bail application of a person who was found in possession of around 79.5 grams of methamphetamine and got implicated as the 1st accused in a crime alleging commission of offences under Sections 22(c), 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Case Title: R. Ragavendran and Anr. v. Union of India
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 78
The Kerala High Court has clarified that an order passed under Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act barring disclosure of witness statements must separately consider materials relating to each witness and record reasons for its decision.
The Division Bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan was considering a petition preferred under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita challenging orders passed by the Special Court for NIA Cases.
Case Title: V.J. Joseph v. The India Cements Limited and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 79
The Kerala High Court recently clarified that the managing director, who signed the dishonoured cheques and was in charge of the day-to-day affairs of a company accused of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, is vicariously liable in the offence.
Justice M.B. Snehalatha dismissed a revision petition filed by the 2nd accused in a cheque bounce case for which he was found guilty along with the accused company in which he was the managing director.
Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 80
In a recent ruling, the Kerala High Court ordered the state government to reimburse the treatment charges expended by a government school teacher for the treatment of his daughter's rare disease in a non-empanelled private hospital in Coimbatore.
Justice Harisankar V. Menon relied on various decisions of the Apex Court and the judgment of the High Court in The General Manager and Anr. v. Rajam V.V., wherein the reimbursements not disbursed on technical grounds like treatment at non-empanelled hospitals were ordered to be given.
Case Title: Moithunnykutty and Anr. v. The District Collector and Ors. & Ma'din Knowledge Garden Public School v. Assistant Educational Officer and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 81
The Kerala High Court recently ordered closure of a school that was teaching Quran and allied subjects to its students since it was running without valid recognition as per Section 18 of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Justice Harisankar V. Menon was considering two connected writ petitions, one of which was preferred by two persons, who had complained against the school. The complaint had led to a report by the Assistant Educational Officer addressed to the District Educational Officer, who found that the school was being run without recognition. They have sought for directions for taking further action on the same.
Other Important Developments This Week
Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 3872/2026
A plea has been moved before the Kerala High Court by the father of the accused in the Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case challenging the theatrical release of the Malayalam movie Kaalam Paranja Kadha, which is stated to be inspired by the case.
Case Title: Ajith Kumar C @ Vattiyoorkavu Ajith Kumar v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(Crl.) 115/2026
The President of the All Kerala Men's Association has moved the Kerala High Court seeking an investigation by an independent agency into the suicide of Deepak, who was accused of sexual harassment inside a bus by Shimjitha Musthafa in a viral video.
Justice K. Babu has posted the matter to February 10 for further consideration.
Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 3872/2026
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (February 3) questioned the plea preferred by the father of the accused in the Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case challenging the theatrical release of the Malayalam movie Kaalam Paranja Kadha, which is stated to be inspired by the sensational murder case.
When the matter came up for admission, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas expressed his disinclination to prevent the release of the movie and asked how the right to fair trial of a person is affected by a movie. The Court also questioned on what basis the petitioner has come to the conclusion that the movie is similar to the case.
Ensure Continuous Drinking Water Supply To Residents Of West Kochi: Kerala High Court
Case Title: Thampi Subramaniyan v. The Chairman and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 19 of 2026
The Kerala High Court recently considered a public interest litigation filed by a resident of the western side of Kochi highlighting the acute shortage of drinking water in the area.
When the matter came up before the Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., it granted two weeks' time to the respondents to file affidavits disclosing the steps taken to ensure supply of drinking water.
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: SSCR 5 of 2026
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (February 4) mulled introducing a virtual queue or spot booking system for permitting devotees into Sabarimala temple for monthly poojas.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar referred to an earlier order issued by the Court in another suo motu petition, where Travancore Devaswom Board was directed to ensure that only persons with valid Virtual Queue or spot booking passes were allowed to temple during Makaravilakku season.
Case Title: Dr. Vinu Thomas v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 36822/2025
A plea has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the appointment of Dr. V.A. Arun Kumar as the Director In-Charge of the Institute of Human Resources Development. Dr. Arun Kumar is the son of the late former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthananthan.
When the matter came up for consideration on Tuesday, Justice N. Nagaresh gave time to the respondents to file a statement and posted the case on February 18.
Case Title: Aaliya Ashraf v State of Kerala
Case No: ICR (WP(Crl.)) 20/ 2025
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (04 February) said that it intends to send a strong message that it will not tolerate violation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).
A five-judge Full Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran, Justice P Gopinath, Justice A Badharudeen, Justice MB Snehalatha, and Justice Jobin Sebastian were considering a reference to examine the ratio in Suhana v State of Kerala [2024 (6) KLT 371].
Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 3872/2026
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (February 5) orally asked how the movie Kaalam Paranja Kadha was defamatory to the family of the accused in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case when every movie is inspired by some real incident or story.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a plea 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.
Case Title: Santon Lama v State of Kerala
Case No: WP(Crl.) 1421/ 2025
The Kerala High Court was on Friday (06 February) informed that the body recovered from Kalamassery belongs to Suraj Lama, an Indian citizen who was deported from Kuwait but went missing after arriving at Kochi.
The division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha which was considering the habeas corpus petition, has directed the Nedumbasery SHO to produce the case file of Suraj Lama Missing Case along with the Post mortem report by the next posting date.
Case Title: M K Suresh Kumar and Anr v The Union of Indian and Anr.
Case No: WP(C) 824/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Friday (06 February) reserved its judgment in the petition challenging a Central Government notification that permits Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals constituted under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 to continue adjudicating cases even after the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 came into force.
Justice Gopinath P heard the arguments of both the parties and reserved for orders.
Case Title: Rahul K T v St. Stephen's Malankara Catholic Church
Case No: RP1394/ 2025 in WP(C) 22750/ 2018
The Kerala High Court on Friday (February 6) directed the Joint Directors of Local Self Government Department (LSGD) to initiate a comprehensive drive within their respective jurisdictions and issue necessary instructions to the Secretaries ensuring no further illegal installations of flags, poles etc. occur in public places in the State.
Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering a review petition filed in connection with a plea against illegal and unauthorized flags and banners.