Kerala High Court Monthly Digest: April 2026 [Citation: 181 - 227]

Nominal Index: [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 181 - 227]George John v Election Commission of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 181Anjali P.V. (popularly known as Anjali Nair) v. The Returning Officer and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 182Goshree Islands Development Authority and Anr. v. Tritvam Apartment Owners Association and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 183Aaliya Ashraf v State of Kerala, 2026...

Drying Rubber Sheets In Smoke House Not 'Manufacture', No Panchayat Licence Needed: Kerala High Court

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,...

Kerala High Court Questions Circular Mandating Local Body Approval For Introducing Co-Education In Single Gender Schools

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.The petitioner school...

Cheque Dishonour | S.138 NI Act Not Attracted If Part Payment Is Not Endorsed On Cheque Presented: Kerala High Court

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:“when a part...

Local Authority Can't Deny Citizen's Constitutional Right To Establish Industrial Unit Due To Unfounded Public Resistance/ Protest: Kerala HC

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...

Kerala High Court Declines Relief To Polling Officials Who Couldn't Vote In State Assembly Election

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. The writ petitions alleged large-scale denial of voting rights to government officials deployed on election duty during the State Assembly polls.On April 8, the Court had directed the ECI to...

Kerala High Court Upholds Age Limits Under Surrogacy Act, Says It's Scientifically Justified

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.“The age limits prescribed for intending parents and surrogate mother are...

Dental Student Suicide Case: College HOD Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Anticipatory Bail In Abetment FIR

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.Dr. Ram is the Head of Department of Dental Anatomy at Kannur Dental College where Nithin Raj was enrolled in and Dr. Nambiar Sangeetha is a professor there.Last week, the Sessions Court, Thalassery had...

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.The suggestions/views are to be addressed to the Registrar General of the High Court and must contain the name and full address of the sender. The deadline...

Kerala High Court Questions ECI Over Alleged Denial Of Voting Rights To 20,000 Election Duty Staff

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...

Kerala Assembly Polls 2026 : High Court Directs Swift Action On Candidate's Complaint Over Strong Room Opening

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,...

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 statewide hartal was called upon by various Dalit organisations in Kerala, demanding justice in connection with the death of Nithin Raj, a BDS student who died by suicide. The family has alleged that Nithin has...