Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 419 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 434Nominal Index All Kerala Akshaya Entrepreneurs Confederation v. State of Kerala and Ors. and Moideen v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 419Kiran P.S. v. State of Kerala and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 420Tomcy Thomas v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 421Addl. R4 G.R. Ajith v Kerala Police...
Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 419 - 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 434
Nominal Index
All Kerala Akshaya Entrepreneurs Confederation v. State of Kerala and Ors. and Moideen v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 419
Kiran P.S. v. State of Kerala and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 420
Tomcy Thomas v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 421
Addl. R4 G.R. Ajith v Kerala Police Association, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 422
Dr. Reni Philip and Anr. v Suvarnarajendran and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 423
Lenin Raj v. State of Kerala and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 424
M/S Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 425
Midhun M. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 426
Suo Motu JPP v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 427
State of Kerala and Ors. v. Ranjith K. and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 428
N v State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 429
Arjun A. v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 430
N v. R, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 431
A and Ors. v. Station House Officer and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 432
Vironi Augustine v. Joseph, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 433
N. Prakash v. The Advocate General and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 434
Judgments/ Orders This Week
Case Titles: All Kerala Akshaya Entrepreneurs Confederation v. State of Kerala and Ors. and Moideen v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 419
The Kerala High Court recently held that the government need not provide reservation to women or differently-abled persons while allotting Akshaya Centres as there are no legal provisions mandating the same.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas reasoned that allotment of Akshaya Centres is a contractual arrangement and since no government employment is provided, there is no legal mandate to provide reservation as per the Constitution or the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016.
ED Officials Attack: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Nine Accused
Case Titles: Kiran P.S. v. State of Kerala and connected cases
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 420
The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 3) granted regular bail to nine accused in the crime registered pursuant to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials.
The case refers to the alleged attack on ED officials and damage to vehicles following an ED search operation at the residence of Opposition Leader Of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter on May 27.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath allowed pleas preferred by 9 accused, namely, Kiran P.S., Jeevan, Anil Kumar, Sreejith, Nishad, Sidarth S., Shefeek, Nandhu G.R., Rahul A. Rajan.
Case Title: Fr. Tomcy Thomas v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 421
The Kerala High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a priest charged with aiding a woman who allegedly forged an advocate's enrolment certificate and practised as a lawyer, holding that the materials collected during investigation prima facie make out an offence of 'harboring' under Section 212 IPC.
Justice A Badharudeen delivered the judgment.
Case Title: Addl. R4 G.R. Ajith v Kerala Police Association
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 422
The Kerala High Court on Monday (03 August) refused to interfere with a Single Judge's decision staying the operation of a government order that restructures the police personnel associations in the State.
The Division Bench comprising Justice A.K. Jaysankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K refused to stay the Single Judge's order.
Case Title: Dr. Reni Philip and Anr. v Suvarnarajendran and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 423
The Kerala High Court has held that reports submitted by the State Level Apex Body investigating complaints against doctors are only pieces of expert evidence and do not amount to findings of criminal negligence.
A Division Bench comprising Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K was considering two doctors' writ appeal challenging a Single Judge order that refused to interfere with an expert panel's report expressing a prima facie opinion of gross medical negligence.
ED Officials Attack: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Six More Accused
Case Titles: Lenin Raj v. State of Kerala and connected cases
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 424
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (August 4) granted regular bail to four CPI(M) workers, who were arrested for being allegedly involved in the attack against officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order granting bail to Lenin Raj, Amal S.P., Vaisakh and Rahul.
The Court granted on Wednesday (August 5) granted bail to Nidin Raj and Shahin.
Case Title: M/S Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 425
The Kerala High Court recently quashed the criminal case registered against Asianet News, its Bureau Chief and, its Editor, booked for defamation, for allegedly publishing defamatory content in a press conference aired by the channel.
Justice C.S. Dias delivered the judgment.
Case Title: Midhun M. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 426
The Kerala High Court recently directed the Magistrate Court, Chittoor to proceed against five policemen, who allegedly beat up Indian Army sepoy, during Kollemgode Temple 'Aaraattu' festival in 2019.
Justice G. Girish directed that the question of requirement of sanction can be considered at a later stage, after the completion of evidence.
Case Title: Suo Motu JPP v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 427
The Kerala High Court has recently clarified that mere online publication of interim orders does not constitute legal service of the order upon the affected parties. It further directed that all court orders, including interim orders, should be uploaded preferably on the same day they are pronounced.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M passed the order in a suo motu judicial practice and procedure proceeding initiated by the High Court to streamline court administration and electronic case management.
Case Title: State of Kerala and Ors. v. Ranjith K. and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 428
The Kerala High Court recently upheld an order of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) that found that Taekwondo Poomsae is also a recognized event for government appointments under the sports quota.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishnan dismissed the challenge made by the State (petitioners) against the KAT order granting relief to the applicant therein, a Taekwondo Poomsae champion.
Contractual Women Employees Entitled To Hysterectomy Leave Under Kerala Service Rules: High Court
Case Title: N v State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 429
The Kerala High Court has held that women employed on a contractual basis under State-funded projects cannot be denied medical leave benefits for hysterectomy merely because Rule 101A of the Kerala Service Rules (KSR) has not been expressly extended to contractual employees.
Justice Harisankar V. Menon delivered the judgment while allowing two writ petitions filed by Special Educators (Secondary) engaged on contract under Samagra Shiksha Kerala, who had sought medical leave following hysterectomy surgeries.
Case Title: Arjun A. v. State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 430
The Kerala High Court recently denied bail to Arjun A., who had allegedly threatened Kothamangalam SHO on social media and had sent sexually explicit messages to his family members.
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath remarked that the accusation against Arjun was serious and that pre-arrest bail cannot be granted as a matter of course.
Case Title: N v. R
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 431
The Kerala High Court recently held that a wife demanding separate residence away from husband's family without sufficient reason would amount to cruelty.
The Division Bench of Justice Satish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar delivered the judgment.
Acid Attack Victims Must Be Compensated Irrespective Of Fine Imposed On Offender: Kerala High Court
Case Title: A and Ors. v. Station House Officer and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 432
The Kerala High Court recently gave relief to acid attack victims by holding that victims must be given compensation whether or not a fine has been imposed on the offender.
Justice Jobin Sebastian clarified that compensation payable as per the Victim Compensation Scheme in accordance with Section 357A Cr.P.C. is in addition to the fine awarded to the offender under Section 357.
Case Title: Vironi Augustine v. Joseph
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 433
The Kerala High Court recently criticized a trial court's adverse observations regarding the skills of a lawyer in drafting a petition before it.
Justice Easwaran S. opined that trial court's remarks about the lawyer's competence was completely uncalled for and the same required judicial scrutiny.
Case Title: N. Prakash v. The Advocate General and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 434
A plea has been moved before the Kerala High Court seeking a direction for removal of the Court's name from the designation boards in the cars of government pleaders and central government counsels.
When the matter came up on Friday (August 7) before Justice Murali Purushothaman, the petitioner appearing in person sought permission to withdraw the case. Accordingly, the plea was dismissed as withdrawn.
Other Developments This Week
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 (July 31) sought the State's opinion on whether the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025 can be implemented for the time being, till a formal legislation is passed.
The Special Bench of 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.
Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 17115/2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (03 August) permitted two more foreign crew members of the sunken Liberian-flagged vessel 'MSC Elsa 3' to return to their home countries on certain conditions.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order.
Case Title: N. Madhavan Kutty v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) No. 21126 of 2026
The Kerala High Court recently directed that the Facebook account of journalist N. Madhavan Kutty be permitted to operate, after it was blocked on the instructions of the Police.
Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A., observed that the entire social media account cannot be blocked for a few objectionable posts and added that only the objectionable content may not be displayed for the time being.
Case Title: Adv. Mathew Kunnappally v. Adv. Sajeev Joseph and Ors.
Case No: Election Petition Filing No. 1 of 2026
Kerala Congress (M) candidate Advocate Mathew Kunnappally has moved an election petition before the High Court, challenging the victory of Advocate Sajeev Joseph in Kannur district's Irikkur Constitutency in the 2026 Legislative Assembly Elections.
When the matter came up before Justice Easwaran S., time was granted to verify certain defects noted by the Registry. The case is posted to Wednesday (August 5) for further consideration.
Case Title: Jaseela C v Sriram Venkittaraman and Anr.
Case No: Crl.MC 6560/ 2026
The widow of journalist K.M. Basheer has moved the Kerala High Court challenging the transfer of the trial in the 2019 rash driving case against IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman and raising concerns over the manner in which the prosecution is being conducted.
The petition seeks to quash the January 20, 2025 order of the Sessions Judge, Thiruvananthapuram, transferring the Sessions Case from the Additional District and Sessions Court-I to the Additional District and Sessions Court-IV, Thiruvananthapuram.
Justice C.S. Dias issued notice on the plea on August 04 and posted the matter for consideration on August 14.
Case Title: Sajeev S. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(Crl.) 1188/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 3) sought the State's response to a plea seeking CBI probe into a 12-year-old missing persons case, which was registered in 2014 by the Kattappana police.
Justice G. Girish today granted time to the public prosecutor to take instructions and posted the case on August 18 for further consideration.
Case Title: Adv. K.M. Shajahan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(Crl.) 968/2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 3) orally questioned the hurried manner in which S. Sreejith IPS was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) even in the midst of corruption allegations against him.
Justice A. Badharudeen orally asked the State why it did not consider having another vigilance clearance before appointing the officer when there were two separate allegations now pending against him.
Congress MLA Sebastian MJ's Election Challenged Before Kerala High Court
Case Title: Abesh Alosious v Sebastian M.J Alias Saji Joseph and Viji George v Adv. Sebastian M.J.
Case No: El.Pet 2/ 2026 and El. Pet 9/ 2026 (Filing No.)
Two election petitions have been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the election of Congress MLA Sebastian M. J. from the Poonjar Assembly constituency in the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.
When the matter came before Justice S. Manu the counsel for the petitioners sought time to cure defects in filing.
Kerala High Court Seeks Congress MLA Manoj Moothedan's Response To Plea Challenging His Election
Case Title: Seena v. Manoj M.P. v. Manoj Muthedan
Case No: Filing No. El. Pet. No. 5 of 2026
The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 3) sought Perumbavoor MLA Manoj Moothedan's response to an election petition filed challenging his victory in the recent Assembly elections.
Justice G. Girish yesterday noted that since 2 out of the 8 defects noted in the election petition were to be looked into with respect to its very maintainability, the respondent candidates have to be heard.
SFI Leader Abhimanyu Murder Case: Kerala High Court Directs Completion Of Trial Within Four Months
Case Title: Bhoopathi v State of Kerala
Case No: OP(CRL.) NO. 920 OF 2024
The Kerala High Court on Monday (03 August) directed the Sessions Court to complete trial into the murder of Abhimanyu, a SFI leader who was stabbed to death in 2018 during a campus political rivalry at Maharajas College in Ernakulam, within four months.
Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order in a plea moved by deceased's mother, stating that the case was pending for six years and there was no progress.
Case Title: P. Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: OP (Crl.) No. 23/2022
The Kerala High Court was informed on Wednesday (August 5) that the State has completed its probe into the five FIRs registered over the alleged media trial of actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case.
The FIRs were registered pursuant to the Court's earlier direction in 2022. Dileep was, subsequently acquitted in the case by the Sessions Court.
Justice Jobin Sebastian noted that in the report filed by the public prosecutor, it is stated that investigation has been completed and chargesheets have been filed before the jurisdictional magistrate.
Case Title: M. Geethanandan and Ors. v State of Kerala and Anr.
Case No: Crl.A 1057/ 2026
Four persons convicted in the 2003 Muthanga incident—a violent clash between police and Adivasi protesters during an eviction drive at the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad—have approached the Kerala High Court in appeal.
They contend that the Sessions Court judgment is legally unsustainable because it rests on a finding of criminal conspiracy that the trial court itself held to be only prima facie.
Case No: Crl. M.A. No. 1 of 2026 in Crl. A. No. 4 of 2026
Case Title: Martin Antony v. State of Kerala
The Kerala High Court has refused to suspend the 20 years sentence imposed upon Martin Antony, the 2nd accused in the 2017 Actress Assault case.
He was one of the six persons, who were convicted by the Sessions Court, Ernakulam.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar dismissed the sentence suspension plea filed by Antony.
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 123 of 2026
The Kerala High Court was on Wednesday (August 5) informed by the State that it had not yet filed the chargesheet in the case relating to the alleged murder of a 1.5 year toddler on May 29, 2026 in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram.
The child died allegedly due to torture inflicted on him by his stepfather.
When the matter came up today, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was informed that chargesheet has not been filed since the forensic report is still awaited and investigation is still progressing.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Ors. and connected cases
Case No: WP(Crl.) 952/ 2026
The Kerala High Court has directed the newly reconstituted State Level Advisory Committee (SLAC) of Prisons to expeditiously consider representations filed against the rejection of applications for premature release of prisoners, while expressing concern over delays in the processing and communication of such applications.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M passed the direction 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 State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: SSCR 24/ 2026
The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to conduct a comprehensive criminal investigation into alleged irregularities and possible misappropriation in the procurement and supply of Milma ghee to Sabarimala during the 2025–26 Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, hearing suo motu proceedings initiated on the basis of a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, observed that the allegations disclosed in the preliminary enquiry were extremely grave and warranted an independent vigilance investigation.
Case Title: M. Geethanandan and Ors. v State of Kerala and Anr.
Case No: Crl.A 1057/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (August 6) orally expressed concern over the manner in which the Sessions Court recorded its finding while convicting four persons in the 2003 Muthanga land struggle case, observing that the judgment would require "thorough scrutiny".
Justice A. Badharudeen made the observations while hearing appeals filed by the four convicts against the judgment of Principal Sessions Court, Kalpetta.
Case Title: Mohammed Muslim Khan P.P. v. Union of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 155 of 2026
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 5) orally asked why a full-time administrator has not been appointed for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a public interest litigation pointing out alleged arbitrary actions by the present Administrator's Advisor and seeking a full-time Administrator.
Case Title: Treasa K.J v State of Kerala
Case No: RP 165/ 2026 in WP(C) 23911/ 2018
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (06 August) observed that Kochi has largely escaped serious flooding during the ongoing monsoon despite recent heavy rains, but cautioned that the respite should not be viewed as a victory, directing authorities to remain vigilant and continue preventive measures.
Justice Devan Ramachandran made the observations while considering a review petition in connection with the upkeep of Perandoor Canal.
Case Title: C.T. Muneer v. Union of India & Others
Case No: W.P.(PIL) No.153 of 2026
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 5) sought the Centre's response to a public interest litigation seeking guidelines for granting sanction and 'deemed sanction' for prosecuting corrupt public officials.
The petitioner referred to Sections 19 and 29A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as well as the Apex Court's directions in Vineet Narain & others v. Union of India and CBI v. Ashok Kumar Agarwal to state that the Central Government has a duty to frame rules.
The submissions were made before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M.
Case Title: Mahatma Gandhi University Students Union and Anr. v. Mahatma Gandhi University and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 27279/2026
The Kerala High Court on Friday (August 7) stayed an order of the Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor that withdrew the fund for conducting a National Conference over the student body using a cockroach poster.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas granted the interim relief in a plea filed by the varsity's Students' Union.
Case Title: Treasa K.J v State of Kerala
Case No: RP No. 165/2026 in WP(C) No. 2391/2018 & WP(C) No. 23911/2018
The Kerala High Court on Thursday paid tribute to R. Rajesh, a volunteer who lost his life while saving another person during the recent floods in Kannur, describing him as "a true hero" whose sacrifice was "supreme and unparalleled."
Justice Devan Ramachandran made the observation while considering a review petition in connection with the upkeep of Perandoor Canal.