Kerala High Court Strikes Down Devaswom Recruitment Board's Power Over Guruvayoor Appointments

The Kerala High Court has held that Section 9 of the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act, 2015 (KDRB Act) which empowers the KDRB to prepare select lists for the appointment of candidates to various posts in the Guruvayoor Devaswom posts is unconstitutional. The Division Bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Syam Kumar V M were considering an appeal filed by the Guruvayur Devaswom Employees Union Congress and others, challenging the relevant provisions of the KDRB Act.The...

Justice Soumen Sen Sworn-In As Chief Justice Of Kerala High Court

Justice Soumen Sen was sworn in as the 40th Chief Justice of Kerala High Court on Saturday (January 10).The oath of office was administered by Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was also present during the swearing in ceremony.The Central Government had earlier issued a notification to transfer Justice Sen from Meghalaya High Court to Kerala High Court.Yesterday, his predecessor Justice Nitin Jamdar retired and bid farewell to the Kerala...

'We Are Defined Not By The Office We Hold, But By Choices We Make': Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar Bids Farewell To Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Friday (09 January) bid farewell to its 39th Chief Justice, Justice Nitin Jamdar, who demitted office on superannuation.A full court reference was held in the presence of judges, senior advocates, members of the Bar and court staff. Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar expressed deep gratitude to the Bench, Bar and registry, describing the Kerala High Court not merely as a workplace but as a home. Emphasising that the judiciary functions as a system sustained by the quality of...

Kerala High Court Absolves Actor Mohanlal In Manappuram Finance False Advertisement Case

The Kerala High Court has absolved actor Mohanlal from liability in a consumer case alleging unfair trade practice by Manappuram Finance for demanding higher interest than what was advertised by it.Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. remarked that as long as the actor was only the brand ambassador of Manappuram and did not, in any manner, persuade to avail their services, liability cannot be fastened against him.Mohanlal had come before the High Court challenging the orders passed by the District and...

Kerala High Court Allows Additional Entry Of Changed Name In Marriage Register After Wife's Religious Conversion

While dealing with an inter-religious marriage under the Special Marriage Act, the Kerala High Court has held that if a spouse wishes to convert their religion, an additional entry can be incorporated in the marriage register to record his/her new name.Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan thus directed the Registrar of Marriages, Panchayat Secretary concerned and other authorities to incorporate an additional entry in the marriage register and to issue a new marriage certificate with the wife's new...

Bank Loan Fraud | Civil Decree For Recovery Doesn't Erase Liability For Criminal Misappropriation Under PC Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the existence of a civil decree for recovery of loan dues does not negate criminal liability for conspiracy and misappropriation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, holding that criminal culpability must be assessed independently of civil remediesJustice A Badharudeen was delivering a judgment in a criminal appeal challenging the conviction and sentence imposed for misappropriation and conspiracy. The appellant who is the second accused in the case, ...

Public Servant Must Be Heard Before PC Act Sanction When Request Not Made By Police Or Law Enforcement Authority: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently ruled that the sanction to prosecute a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 cannot be accorded without hearing the public servant concerned when the request is made by a person other than a police officer or other law enforcement authority.Justice A. Badharudeen was considering a plea preferred by a person who was directed by the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge to obtain sanction under Section 19(1) of the PC Act to proceed...

District Authority Can Reject Petrol Pump NOC For Violating CPCB Distance Norms From Schools: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that the District Authority can reject an application for No Objection Certificate under Rule 144 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 for not maintaining minimum distance from schools and other public places in accordance with the Central Pollution Control Board's guidelines.Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim added that since a playground is integral to the functioning...

Kerala High Court Annual Digest 2025: Part III [Citations 601 - 858]

Nominal Index: [Citations: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 601 - 858]R. Thilakan and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 601P.N. Suresh Kumar and Others v State of Kerala and Another, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 602K.C. Dileep Kumar v Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd and Others, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 603State of Kerala v. Enforcement Directorate, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 604Muhammed Shammas P. v. State...

Global Ayyappa Sangamam: Kerala High Court Deprecates Devaswom Board's Delay In Submitting Audited Accounts, Grants 1 Month Extension

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (January 8) deprecated the delay on the part of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in complying with court's direction to submit audited accounts of expenses of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which was conducted on September 20 in the premises of Sabarimala Shrine and at the banks of the River Pamba.The event was conducted after the Court had given its green...

Motor Accident Claim | Kerala High Court Enhances Victim's Notional Income Based On Overseas Remittances Despite Lack Of Formal Salary Proof

The Kerala High Court enhanced the notional income of an accident victim who was employed abroad and had sought compensation under Motor Vehicles Act, based on certain factual aspects even though the claimant had failed to produce salary certificate as per Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oaths and Fees) Act. Justice Harisankar V. Menon was considering two appeals filed against the award...

Kerala High Court Constitutes Committee To Address Infrastructural Deficiencies In Mediation Centres In State

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (06 January) constituted a Mediation Infrastructure Committee to address the issues of infrastructural deficiencies in mediation centres across the State.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Syam Kumar V M were considering a suo motu petition concerning the infrastructural requirements of mediation centres, including the...