Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 325 - 2026 Livelaw (Ker) 335Nominal IndexMidhun M. v. Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) Lifecare Ltd. and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 325Mohammed Hanish v. Kadakampally Manoj, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 326Bichathu v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 327RK v. PK and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 328Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 329Sangeetha K.P. v....
Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 325 - 2026 Livelaw (Ker) 335
Nominal Index
Midhun M. v. Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) Lifecare Ltd. and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 325
Mohammed Hanish v. Kadakampally Manoj, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 326
Bichathu v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 327
RK v. PK and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 328
Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 329
Sangeetha K.P. v. The Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd. and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 330
Rasheed v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 331
Wei, Chun-Ju and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 332
T.M. Manju v. Bar Council of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 333
Ahmad Nasir Osmani v State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 334
The Travancore-Cochin Medical Council v. Rajesh K. and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 335
Judgement/ Orders This Week
Case Title: Midhun M. v. Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) Lifecare Ltd. and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 325
The Kerala High Court has recently held that the police cannot decide whether or not a person is suitable for appointment while issuing a verification report containing criminal antecedents under Section 53 of Kerala Police Act, 2011.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas remarked:
“In a report verifying the antecedents of an applicant for employment, it is not open for a police officer, even of the stature of the third respondent [District Police Chief/Verifying Authority], to state whether that person is suitable for appointment or not. The verification report can only contain the details of the criminal antecedents of an applicant. Suitability or otherwise of an applicant to a post, based on the criminal antecedents if any, is the prerogative of the employer. It must always be open to the employer to decide whether the existence of any criminal case would render an applicant unsuitable or not. In other words, the suitability of an applicant to a post cannot be decided by the police.”
Case Title: Mohammed Hanish v. Kadakampally Manoj
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 326
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 15) dismissed an appeal filed by Mohammed Hanish, the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department (Cashew) of the State government challenging an order of the Single Bench directing his personal appearance in a contempt case initiated for refusing sanction to the CBI to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).
The Division Bench of Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John heard detailed arguments on behalf of the counsel appearing for Hanish and for Kadakampally Manoj, who had filed the writ petition after sanction was refused for the first time. Manoj then filed a contempt plea after no positive action was taken.
Case Title: Bichathu v. State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 327
The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that the procedural safeguards under Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act applies only to the personal search of an individual and not to the search of plastic bags carried by the person.
Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment in an appeal challenging the conviction and sentence imposed against the appellant in an NDPS case.
Can Family Court Decide Marital Status After Alleged Husband's Death? Kerala High Court Answers
Case Title: RK v. PK and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 328
The Kerala High Court has held that Family Courts do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes concerning the validity of a marriage or matrimonial status when one of the alleged spouses had died before the proceedings were instituted.
A Division Bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. further held that such disputes are ordinary civil disputes to be decided by civil courts.
Dental Student Suicide: Kerala High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To College HOD Dr. Kodanda Ram In Abetment Case
Case Title: Dr. M.Kodanda Ram v. State and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 329
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) dismissed the criminal appeal filed by Dr. M. Kodanda Ram seeking pre-arrest bail in the suicide abetment case of dental college student Nithin Raj.
Justice A. Badharudeen opined that there was prima facie commission of offence under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the statutory bar against grant of anticipatory bail would apply.
Does A Recruitment Freeze Apply To Compassionate Appointments? Kerala High Court Answers
Case Title: Sangeetha K.P. v. The Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd. and Anr.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 330
The Kerala High Court in a recent judgment held that a ban on regular appointments would not automatically act as a bar for compassionate appointments.
Justice Viju Abraham referred to two decisions rendered by the Bombay High Court that took a similar view and reasoned that the compassionate employment scheme is an exemption to help a family to survive sudden financial destitution.
Kerala High Court Upholds Madrassa Teacher's POCSO Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Minor Boy
Case Title: Rasheed v. State of Kerala
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 331
The Kerala High Court recently upheld the conviction and sentence imposed on a madrassa teacher, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor student.
Justice A. Badharudeen was considering an appeal preferred assailing the conviction for the offences under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 4(2) r/w. 3(d), 6(1) r/w. 5(f), 5(m), 8 r/w. 7, 10 r/w. 9(o) and 9 (m) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act [Punishment for cruelty to child].
Case Title: Wei, Chun-Ju and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 332
The Kerala High Court in a recent decision allowed two foreign crew members of MV Wan Hai 503, which was involved in a maritime accident last year near to Azheekal, to leave India for their home countries.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas allowed the writ petition filed by Taiwanese national Wei, Chun-Ju and Chinese national Tao Peng, who respectively the Master and Chief Officer of the vessel that suffered a fire onboard on June 9, 2025.
Case Title: T.M. Manju v. Bar Council of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 333
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (17 June) upheld a Single Judge's decision that held that a registered homeopathic medical practitioner cannot seek enrolment as an advocate while continuing to remain on the register of practising medical professionals.
The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. delivered the judgment while dismissing the appeal against the Single Judge decision.
Case Title: Ahmad Nasir Osmani v State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 334
The Kerala High Court has recently (11 June) directed immigration authorities to process an Afghan national's application for compounding of offences under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, holding that the absence of a prescribed application form cannot prevent consideration of such a request.
Justice G. Girish passed the order in a writ petition filed by the Afghan national currently detained at the Detention Centre (Transit Home) in Kollam.
Case Title: The Travancore-Cochin Medical Council v. Rajesh K. and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 335
The Kerala High Court in a recent judgment clarified that the practice of Electro-Homeopathy is not unregulated.
The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. observed that the practice of alternative medicine is, in fact, regulated by the provisions of the the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021 and before that, by Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners Act, 1953.
Other Important Developments
Kerala High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Plea Against 'Kerala Story 2' Certification
Case No: WP(C) 11010/2026
Case Title: Yohan George v. Union of India
Kerala High Court judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas on Monday (June 15) recused from hearing a plea challenging certification of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond and seeking removal of 'Kerala' from the movie title.
When the matter came up today, the judge orally remarked that the plea has become infructuous. He also decided to recuse from hearing the matter since he had already taken a view in two other writ petitions seeking similar reliefs.
Case No: WP(C) 17963/ 2026
Case Title: SRIT India Ltd. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 15) sought the State's response in a plea alleging non-payment to the contractor that was engaged for installing and maintaining AI Traffic cameras as part of 'Automated Traffic Enforcement' for Safe Kerala Project.
When the matter came up today before Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A., the counsel appearing for the petitioner SRIT India Ltd. pointed out that there is non-payment of dues even though the Project has been implemented all over the State.
Case Title: Centre For Consumer Education v. State of Kerala and Ors.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the State Government's newly launched scheme granting free travel to women and transgender persons in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
The petition, filed by the Centre for Consumer Education, Pala, seeks review of Government Order, which introduced the "Priyadarshini" scheme under the State Government's broader “Indira Guarantee” programme. The scheme came into force on June 15 and, in its first phase, allows women and transgender passengers to travel free of charge on KSRTC ordinary services.
Case No: OP(C) 1129/2026
Case Title: Superintendent of Police and Anr v. Sankaran Nair (Died) and Ors.
The Kerala High Court was on Tuesday (June 16) informed that a compromise has been entered into among the parties in the issue relating to the proposed eviction of families residing in the contentious Malayodamthuruthu in Ernakulam district.
When the matter came up today before Justice T.R. Ravi, Advocate General Jaju Babu submitted that a compromise is ready and signatures of certain persons is required to be obtained. He thus sought an extension of the interim order.
Kerala High Court Asks Centre, DGS About Timeline For Independent Study On Long-Term Environmental Impact Of MSC Elsa 3 Wreck
Case Title: T. N. Prathapan v. Union of India and Ors. and connected cases
Case No: WP(PIL) 50/ 2025 and connected cases
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 16) sought the response of the Union of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Director General of Shipping (DGS) as to the timeframe and manner of conducting an independent, long-term impact study on the wreckage caused due to the capsizing of Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a batch of public interest litigations raising questions regarding the navigational hazards, marine pollution and livelihood issues of coastal communities posed with the sinkage of vessel.
Case No: CrlMC No. 4985/ 2026
Case Title: State of Kerala v. Shaiju V.K. and Ors.
The Kerala government has moved a plea before the High Court seeking to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.
The Sessions Judge, Alappuzha had allowed the bail pleas of the accused, who were booked by the Alappuzha South Police for the offences under Sections 294(b), 324 and 308 r/w S.34 of Indian Penal Code.
Kerala High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Negumangad Toddler's Death Allegedly Due To Stepfather's Torture, Seeks Probe Report
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 123 of 2026
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 17) directed the State to inform it about the steps taken in the investigation into the Negumangad Child Murder case.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. while considering a suo motu public interest liigation registered on the basis of a letter written by Justice Devan Ramachandran.
Case No: WP(C) No. 17115/2026
Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 15) directed the four foreign crew members of capsized MSC Elsa 3 ship booked in criminal case to approach the Magistrate court having cognizance for appropriate reliefs.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was told by the government pleader that the final report in the crime has been resubmitted after curing defects and the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - I, Kochi had taken cognizance of the case as well. Taking note of the submission, the Court ordered:
"Since cognizance has already been taken, petitioners 1 to 4, who are arrayed as accused in the said crime, are at liberty to approach the learned Magistrate either on receipt of summons or by filing petition to advance the case and seek appropriate reliefs."
Case No: DBP No. 67 of 2025
Case Title: The Cochin Devaswom Board v. Senior Deputy Director
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 15) expressed satisfaction with the draft detailed project report (DPR) submitted by INTACH, Thrissur for the repair of the main block of Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur as per its direction.
The standing counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board submitted before the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar that the final DPR can be submitted within 2 months.
Case No: WP(C) No. 25158 of 2024 and WP(C) No. 25129 of 2024
Case Titles: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 16) sought information regarding the steps taken by the State government in response to a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs directing all State governments to act against unauthorised use of State emblems.
The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. noted that the Ministry had issued a letter in June 2025 to all States for strict implementation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and Rules.
Case Title: Deputy Director, Kerala State Audit Department v The Secretary Cochin Devaswom Board
Case No: DBAR 3/ 2022
The Kerala High Court has expressed concern over persistent accounting irregularities and delays in audit scrutiny within the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB), directing the Board to submit a detailed action plan on corrective measures and the digitisation of its financial management systems.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the order while considering the Devaswom Board Audit Report relating to the Board's accounts for the financial year 2019–20.
Case No: WP(C) 11010/2026
Case Title: Yohan George v. Union of India
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 18) issued urgent notice before admission to Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of the film Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond in a plea challenging certification of the film and seeking removal of 'Kerala' from the movie title.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan orally asked if the plea has become infructuous since it was already released and a lot of people had already watched the film. However, Advocate Chelson Chembarathy appearing for the petitioner stressed upon the OTT release of the film.
Case No: CrlMC No. 4985/ 2026
Case Title: State of Kerala v. Shaiju V.K. and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 18) issued notice on State's plea to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.
Justice C.S. Dias ordered notice to the accused persons, who were granted pre-arrest bail by the Sessions Judge, Alappuzha.
Case Title: Muhammed Firdouz v. The State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 122/ 2026
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (18 June) reserved its orders in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of the State Government's recently launched "Priyadarshini Scheme," which provides free travel for women and transgender persons in ordinary Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M after hearing both the sides, reserved its verdict.
Case No: WP(C) No. 40608 of 2025
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 18) has granted a final opportunity to the Special Investigation Team, probing the alleged theft of gold from Sabarimala temple, to place before it the timeframe within which the final report is proposed to be laid before the jurisdictional court, the Court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kollam.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar asked the SIT to place a comprehensive report and the timeframe before it by June 29. The order was passed in the suo motu proceedings initiated for a court-monitored probe into the misappropriation.
Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025
Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) expressed extreme displeasure at the non-appearance of Mohammed Hanish, the Principal Secretary, Industries Department of the State government inspite of positive direction to do so.
Justice A. Badharudeen was considering the contempt plea filed by Kadakampally Manoj after Hanish failed to comply with the High Court direction, which asked him to re-consider sanction in the light of its finding that there were prima facie materials to prosecute the KSCDC ex-officials.
Case No: WP(C) 17963/ 2026
Case Title: SRIT India Ltd. v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) passed an interim order directing the State and the Motor Vehicles Department to release to Keltron the amounts due for the instalment and maintenance of AI traffic camera, as part of the 'Automated Traffic Enforcement' for Safe Kerala Project.
Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. further directed Keltron to forthwith release the amounts due to SRIT India Ltd., the contractor engaged to execute the project.
Kerala High Court Seeks Chief Minister VD Satheesan's Response In Police Protection Plea By Expelled Congress Leader Simi Bell Rose John
Case No: WP(C) 15288/ 2026
Case Title: Simi Bell Rose John v. State of Kerala and Ors.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) sought the response of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and his brother, V.D. Ajayakumar in a police protection plea filed by expelled Congress leader Simi Bell Rose John, accusing them of threatening her.
The present plea before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was preferred by Simi seeking a direction to the State and the SHO of Thevara police station to ensure that there is no obstruction to her life and property from CM Satheesh or V.D. Ajayakumar or their men.
Kerala High Court Orders Police Protection For Viral Kumbh Mela Star
Case No: WP(C) No. 21065 of 2026
Case Title: Monalisa v. State of Kerala and Anr.
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) directed the Station House Officer of Central Police Station, Ernakulam to grant police protection to the viral Kumbh Mela star Monalisa Bhosle.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas remarked that he was prima facie satisfied that protection should be granted to Monalisa:
"Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Pleader, I am, prima facie, satisfied that the petitioner ought to be afforded protection for her life. Accordingly, there will be a direction to the second respondent to provide adequate protection to the life of the petitioner, pending disposal of the Writ Petition."
Case No: WP(C) No. 14599 of 2020 and Crl.MC No. 5539/2020
Case Title: M.S. Anil v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case
The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 20) directed the officer investigating the SNDP microfinance case to complete probe within 3 weeks and observed that in case of failure to do, it would be constrained to consider entrusting another investigating officer.
The case relates to the alleged misappropriate of Rs. 15.85 crores of government funds under the Micro Finance Scheme and involves officers of the SNDP Yogam and former Managing Directors of Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd. (KSBCDC).
Justice A. Badharudeen observed:
“Therefore, it seems that the Investigating Officer is not properly investigating these crimes, as directed by this Court. Hence, this Court is forced to consider change of the Investigating Officer and entrust the investigation to another Officer having time to investigate these crimes, unless the Investigating Officer is able to complete the investigation and file reports, within a period of three weeks, as submitted by the learned Public Prosecutor.”