Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 359Nominal IndexPrasobh M. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347United India Insurance Company Co. Ltd. v Salpriya and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 348Rajesh R. and Anr. v. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 349M/S Chicago Constructions International Private Limited v Kerala Water Authority and...
Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 359
Nominal Index
Prasobh M. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347
United India Insurance Company Co. Ltd. v Salpriya and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 348
Rajesh R. and Anr. v. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 349
M/S Chicago Constructions International Private Limited v Kerala Water Authority and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 350
N and Ors. v. S, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 351
Athul M.C. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 352
Sree Narayana Dharma Prabodhana Sarnrakshna Samithi v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 353
Central Bureau of Investigation v. The Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 354
Nishad Shobanan v. The Union of India and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 355
Vishnu N.P. v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 356
Jojo Jose v. The Chief Secretary and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 357
X v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 358
The Tirur Service Co-Operative Bank Ltd. v. Moideen M., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 359
Judgement/ Orders This Week
Kerala High Court Rejects Expelled Palakkad Councillor's Appeal Seeking Bail In Sexual Assault Case
Case Title: Prasobh M. v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) dismissed the appeal filed by Prasobh M., former Congress councillor of the Palakkad Municipality, challenging denial of regular bail by the Special Court for SC/ST cases (Mannarkkad) in a sexual assault case.
Justice A. Badharudeen found that bail cannot be granted at the present stage, when the investigation is still primitive as there are chances to impede the same and to threaten the victim.
Positive Alcohol Test Alone Cannot Defeat Accident Insurance Claim: Kerala High Court
Case Title: United India Insurance Company Co. Ltd. v Salpriya and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 348
The Kerala High Court has held that the mere presence of alcohol in a deceased person is insufficient to deny insurance benefits unless the insurer proves that the person was "under the influence of alcohol" as required by the policy.
Justice Harisankar V. Menon was delivering the judgment in a writ petition filed by United India Insurance Company challenging an award of the Permanent Lok Adalat directing payment of ₹15 lakh to the legal heirs of a deceased policyholder.
Case Title: Rajesh R. and Anr. v. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 349
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition that challenged the discontinuation of the benefit of admission granted to single girl child and twin girl children over and above the approved class strength in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas rejected the petitioners' argument that the discontinuation of the scheme, that treated twin children as a single admission, with effect from 2022-23 was arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.
Case Title: M/S Chicago Constructions International Private Limited v Kerala Water Authority and connected cases
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 350
The Kerala High Court has held that contractors executing Jal Jeevan Mission projects for the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) are bound by tender conditions limiting interim payments for supplied materials to 80% of the estimated rate or the quoted rate, whichever is lower.
Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A was considering a batch of writ petitions filed by contractors who argued that KWA had unlawfully restricted payments for pipes and other materials supplied at project sites by calculating the interim payment on the basis of the estimated rate instead of the higher quoted rate.
Case Title: N and Ors. v. S
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 351
The Kerala High Court recently set aside two conditions imposed by the Family Court on a mother, who wanted to take her minor child to United Kingdom for better education and proper care for him.
The Family Court had ordered the mother to furnish security of Rs. 75 lakhs for taking the child to UK.
The Division Bench of Justice J. Nisha Banu and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen observed that conditions imposed by courts must not be “illusory” and the primary consideration must be the welfare of the child.
Case Title: Athul M.C. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 352
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) closed the the plea by the 1st accused seeking supervised investigation by a senior police official to look into the alleged assault on former Health Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station.
When the matter came up before Justice G. Girish, the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the plea.
The Court then granted permission and closed the petition as withdrawn.
Kerala High Court Refuses To Interfere With Conferment Of Padma Bhushan To Vellappally Natesan
Case Title: Sree Narayana Dharma Prabodhana Sarnrakshna Samithi v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 353
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) refused to interfere with the conferment of Padma Bhushan award to SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a public interest litigation moved by Sree Narayana Dharma Prabodhana Sarnrakshna Samithi seeking a direction for quashing the conferment of Padma Bhushan to Natesan.
Special Court Under PMLA Is Legally Competent To Try Scheduled Offence After Committal: Kerala High Court
Case Title: Central Bureau of Investigation v. The Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 354
The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that a Special Court constituted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is legally competent to try a scheduled offence once the case is committed to it under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act, even if that court is not independently notified to try the particular offence.
Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment in a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), challenging an order transferring a Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) case from the Special CBI Court, Ernakulam, to the Special PMLA Court at Kozhikode for a joint trial with the connected money laundering prosecution.
Case Title: Nishad Shobanan v. The Union of India and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 355
The Kerala High Court has struck down proviso to Rule 4(4) of the Kerala Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2006, which restrict free supply of information under RTI Act to persons below the poverty line (BPL) to twenty pages.
Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. found that the proviso to the afore Rule, requiring payment for information above 20 pages, traverse beyond the scope of the parent Act, i.e., the Right to Information Act, 2005 since no such cap is sought to be made on the free information by its provisions.
Case Title: Vishnu N.P. v. State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 356
The Kerala High Court has recently held that the compliance with Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is mandatory even when the accused himself produces contraband from his pocket, during body search.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath made the observation in a bail application moved by a sole accused in an NDPS case.
Case Title: Jojo Jose v. The Chief Secretary and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 357
The Kerala High Court on Friday (03 July) disposed of the PIL seeking CBI enquiry into the 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 Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar disposed of the petition after taking note of a report by the State observing that "there is satisfactory progress in the investigation".
Case Title: X v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 358
The Kerala High Court in a recent decision noted that there is no provision in the Divorce Act, 1869 that enables a wife to prefer petitions in the court having jurisdiction in her place of residence.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that such a provision exists in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 as well as the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and there is no justifiable reason not to incorporate the same in the Divorce Act.
Employee Cannot Invoke Consumer Forum For Gratuity Claims Against Employer: Kerala High Court
Case Title: The Tirur Service Co-Operative Bank Ltd. v. Moideen M.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 359
The Kerala High Court has held that an employee claiming gratuity from an employer cannot be treated as a "consumer" under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and, therefore, consumer commissions lack jurisdiction to entertain such disputes.
Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. delivered the judgment in a petition seeking to quash an order of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Malappuram, which had directed the bank to pay the balance gratuity on a complaint by the respondent employee.
Other Developments This Week
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala
Case No: DBP 42/ 2026
The Kerala High Court has recently (23 June) directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, Travancore Devaswom Board to submit a report after inspection of the temple registers as well as the "Ezharaponnana" of Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K. V. Jayakumar issued the directions in a suo motu proceeding initiated pursuant to a complaint by a devotee alleging that the original gold plates from the "Ezharaponnana" were removed and replaced with copper or other low-value metals, during recent repair and renovation works carried out at the temple.
Case No: OP (Crl.) No. 23/2022
Case Title: P. Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) orally warned that it would initiate contempt proceedings if there is failure to comply with its earlier direction to fast-track investigation into the FIRs registered pursuant to its order based on actor Dileep's plea alleging publication of trial details in the 2017 Actress Assault case.
Justice Jobin Sebastian noted that a direction was passed in February 20 asking the State to complete probe, within a period of 2 months, into the 5 FIRs that were registered in 2022 itself based on the Court's order dated 18.01.2022.
Case No: Crl.MC 5345/2026
Case Title: State of Kerala and Anr. v. Harishkumar and Anr.
The Kerala High Court issued notice to Harishkumar, who is arrayed as the 9th accused in the crime registered pursuant to the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials following a raid at the residence of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter on May 27.
Justice C.S. Dias was considering the plea moved by the State seeking to cancel the bail granted to Harishkumar by the District Court, Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala High Court Seeks Files On Appointment Of Bodybuilders Shinu Chova & Chitharesh Natesan As Police Inspectors Amid 'Backdoor Entry' Claims
Case No: WP(Crl.) 968/2026
Case Title: Adv. K.M. Shajahan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) directed the Principal Secretary to State's Home Department to produce the entire files leading to the appointment of sportspersons Shinu Chova and Chitharesh Natesan in the police department.
Justice A. Badharudeen was considering a plea filed by Advocate K.M. Shajahan alleging corruption and political influence during the LDF government's tenure in their appointments as armed police inspectors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 40608 of 2025
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) was informed by the Special Investigation (SIT) that the probe into the misappropriation of gold from the doorframes of the Sabarimala temple has been completed and all that remains is the submission of final report.
The SIT sought further time to complete investigation with respect to the plundering of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar went through the report submitted by investigating officer S. Sasidharan IPS.
Case No: WP(C) No. 17115/2026
Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 30) paved way for three of the foreign crew members of the Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3 ship to return to their home countries by modifying one of the conditions imposed.
It had earlier allowed the afore three persons to return to their home countries on certain conditions, one of which was to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs. 1 lakh each.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering the plea filed by seven foreign crew members of the ship which capsized in May last year, forcing them to stay in India for more than a year.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors and connected cases
Case No: WP(Crl.) 952/ 2026 and connected cases
The Kerala High Court on Monday (29 June) directed the State government to ensure the time-bound disposal of applications seeking remission of sentence and premature release of prisoners, while expressing concern over the large number of eligible convicts whose cases remain pending before various authorities.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. passed the directions while considering a batch of writ petitions and a suo motu proceeding initiated to oversee the implementation of policies governing the premature release and remission of sentences of eligible prisoners, in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court.
Case Title: Suo Motu v The State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 13064/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (29 June) directed the State Government to constitute within a fortnight, the State Level Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation of the Supreme Court's directions with regard to prison conditions in the State.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the direction while hearing a suo motu writ petition initiated over prison-related issues in the State in line with recent directions issued by the Supreme Court.
Case No: WP(PIL) 135/2026
Case Title: Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS) v. Union of India and Ors.
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been moved by the Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS) before the Kerala High Court challenging the recent filing of the Munambam properties into the UMEED Portal by the State Waqf Board, which it claimed to be "improperly constituted".
As per the PIL, the ACTS is a registered religious charitable trust, which seeks to bring together churches across Kerala to address concerns and safeguards the interests of Christians. It is stated that the organisation has been highly active in social issues, including the Munambam land dispute.
Nedumangad Child Death: Kerala Govt Terminates Child Protection Officer Who 'Ignored' Grandmother's Complaint About Abuse
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 123 of 2026
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala government on Wednesday (July 1) informed the High Court regarding the termination of the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), who purportedly failed to take any steps to protect the 1.5 year-old-infant, who died in Negumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on May 29, 2026 on account of torture by his mother's partner, Ashkar.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a suo motu public interest litigation that was registered on the basis of a letter written by Justice Devan Ramachandran pointing out systemic failures.
Case No: WP(C) 22287/2026
Case Title: Dr. Manoj T.R. v. University of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) issued notice before admission in a plea challenging the appointment of Advocate Girija Gopal as standing counsel for the University of Kerala, by the Vice-Chancellor.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, however, dispensed with notice to Advocate Girija as well as Advocate Thomas Abraham, who was replaced by Girija.
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 has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the State Government's continued delay in finalising and placing the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025 before the Cabinet, observing that the matter has remained pending for more than a year despite repeated judicial directions.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran was 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.
Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer Moves Kerala High Court For Quashing FIR
Case No: Crl.M.C. No. 5436 of 2026
Case Title: Yoosuf Safwan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
An advocate has moved a plea before the Kerala High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered based on a complaint by Narcotics Control Bureau's Intelligence Officer alleging that the former had criminally intimidated the officer during remand proceedings.
The prosecution allegation is that the petitioner, a practicing advocate, threatened the officer at the premises of the CBI Special Court in Ernakulam with future consequences in connection with the legal proceedings against the petitioner's client. It is further alleged that the threat was to prevent the officer from discharging his official duties.
PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Against Relaxation Of Star-Rating Norms For Bar Licence Renewals
Case Title: M.M. Sanjeev Kumar v. State of Kerala
Case No: WP(PIL) 137/ 2026
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging a State Government decision permitting the renewal of FL-3 and FL-11 liquor licences for hotels that have applied for, but have not yet obtained, mandatory star classification from the Ministry of Tourism.
A Government communication dated February 13, 2026, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Taxes), which allegedly directed the Excise Commissioner to renew bar licences for the 2026-27 financial year based on pending applications for hotel reclassification rather than existing star certification is challenged before the Court.
Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection To Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer
Case No: Crl.M.C. No. 5436 of 2026
Case Title: Yoosuf Safwan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) granted interim protection to an advocate accused of threatening and intimidating an Intelligence Officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Justice C.S. Dias passed the order in the petition seeking to quash the FIR.
Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025
Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish and Anr.
The Kerala High Court was today (July 2) informed by the Advocate General representing the State that sanction order has been decided to be passed in accordance with the Court's direction to prosecute the alleged corrupt ex-officers of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).
Justice A. Badharudeen recorded the submission of AG Jaju Babu that government has decided to give sanction and that time is required to ensure the accuracy of the same.
Kerala High Court Refuses To Extend Transit Anticipatory Bail Granted To Viral Kumb Mela Star's Husband In POCSO Case
Case No: Crl.M.A. No. 7 of 2026 in B.A. No. 1644 of 2026
Case Title: Moh Farmaan and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 2) dismissed an application filed by Mohammed Farmaan, the husband of viral Kumb Mela star, seeking an extension of time in the 1-month transit anticipatory bail granted to him in a POCSO case registered at Madhya Pradesh.
The application was filed following the rejection of Farmaan's bail plea by the jurisdictional POCSO Court, Mandleshwar (MP) yesterday. Farmaan now sought protection to approach the Indore Bench of the MP High Court.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath found that the present application in the disposed transit bail plea was not maintainable as per the Supreme Court's decision in Priya Indoria v. State of Karnataka.
Case No: WP(C) 15288/ 2026
Case Title: Simi Bell Rose John v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 2) granted two weeks' time to the State to file its statement in the police protection plea filed by expelled Congress leader Simi Bell Rose John, accusing Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and his brother, V.D. Ajayakumar of threatening her.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas has posted the case to July 16 (Thursday) granting time to the State, the SHO of Thevara Police Station and the Commissioner of Kochi city to file statement.
Kerala High Court Receives Gold Award From Union Govt For Innovation In E-Governance
The Kerala High Court has received the Gold Award in the National Awards for e-Governance, which aims to recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
The Award is for the District Court Case Management System (DCMS) developed. It is one of the seven categories for which awards are granted.
Case No: WP(PIL) 139 of 2026
Case Title: Stalin V.M. @ Stalin Devan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Another public interest litigation has been moved before the Kerala High Court challenging the constitution of the State Waqf Board. The inclusion of CPI(M) politician and former MLA Kunhammed Kutty Master in the Board is also highlighted in the plea.
The present PIL is moved by Stalin V.M., who is a retired Junior Warrant Officer from the Indian Air Force. According to the PIL, he has also served as the Under Secretary to the government of Kerala from the Finance department. He is also stated to be public spirited individual, actively involved in supporting the residents and landowners in the disputed Munambam land.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (July 3) directed the Home Department Secretary to consider a representation seeking a vigilance enquiry against top officials including, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar IPS, S. Sreejith IPS, Biswanath Sinha IAS and P. Sasi.
The representation was made alleging that the afore persons wereas involved in the alleged illegal appointments of bodybuilders Shinu Chova and Chitharesh Natesan as inspectors in the police department.
Justice A. Badharudeen was told by the government pleader that the petitioner's representation dated April 21 addressed to the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) was forwarded to the government on April 23 itself and the same is pending consideration before the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home department.
Case No: Crl.M.C. No. 5436 of 2026
Case Title: Yoosuf Safwan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (July 3) impleaded the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) as an additional respondent in the plea filed by a lawyer seeking to quash a criminal case accusing him of threatening and intimidating an Intelligence Officer.
Justice C.S. Dias allowed the petition filed by the petitioner, a 30-year-old practicing lawyer.