Kerala High Court Extends Restrictions On Construction Activities In Munnar To Parunthumpara, Manjumala Villages Of Idukki District

The Kerala High Court has barred construction activities in Manjummala and Parunthampara villages of State's Idukki district, without first obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the Revenue Department and building permit from the concerned Local Self Government Institution. The direction will not be applicable to cases in which orders have already been passed by the High Court or...

No Political Songs At Temple Festivals, Says Kerala High Court After Row Over DYFI Revolutionary Songs At Temple Fest

The Kerala High Court ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that no activities are permitted in Temple premises which affects its sanctity during annual Temple festivals or other festivals. The Court passed the above order in a writ petition filed aggrieved by performance of revolutionary songs of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which is the youth wing of CPI (M), ...

Authorities Should Not Insist On Strict Evidence For Issuing Birth Certificate, Must Adopt Lenient Approach: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently observed that authorities should take a lenient approach while issuing birth certificate and not insist on strict evidence. In doing so the court quashed a letter issued by the Secretary Mayyanad Grama Panchayat to the parents of a child, rejecting their application for issuance of birth certificate on the ground that an inquiry revealed that no evidence was...

Kasargod Teen's Death: Kerala HC Asks If Murder Angle Was Probed, Proposes To Issue Guidelines For Investigating Missing Minor Girls Cases

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (March 18) orally enquired whether the possibility of murder has been considered in the disappearance and death of the 15-year old girl child from Kasargod.While dealing with the mother's habeas corpus plea alleging police inaction in the matter, a Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M. B. Snehalatha orally observed: “This is not a...

Violence In Visual Media May Have Undesirable Effect On People But Has To Be Tested On Touchstone Of Free Speech: Kerala High Court Remarks

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (March 18) orally observed that depiction of violence in visual media can have an undesirable effect on people however, to what extent it can be shown has to be ascertained keeping in mind the right to freedom of speech and expression. A division bench of Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C. S. Sudha said,“Violence in visual media can have...

Original Printout From Breathalyzer Machine Mandatory, Type Written Report Not Admissible In Evidence To Prove Drunken Driving: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court recently ruled that original printout obtained from the equipment after a breathalyzer test under Section 203 of the Motor Vehicles Act is admissible as evidence to establish drunken driving under Section 185 of the Act.It is to be noted that breathalyzer test is used to measure breath alcohol content. Justice V.G. Arun stated that typewritten copy prepared by the...

Kerala High Court Relaxes Dress Code For Advocates During Summer

The Kerala High Court administrative committee have allowed relaxations in the dress code after receiving a representation from the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. The Association had requested for dispensing with the dress code by taking into account the rising heat in the summer.The order said that the advocates appearing in the district court can wear a white shirt with the band....

Needless Deterrent Action Against Complainants Will Discourage Them From Bringing Grievances Against Public Authorities Before Lok Ayukta: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court observed that needlessly taking deterrent actions against complainants under Section 21 of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act for filing complaints against public authorities could discourage individuals from bringing their grievances before the Lok Ayukta.In the facts of the case, the petitioner filed a complaint alleging financial misdemeanour and illegal accumulation of...

Burden Is On Assessee To Show Entitlement For Capital Gains Tax Exemption On Sale Of Agricultural Land: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that burden of proof is on assessee to prove that he is entitled to capital gains tax exemption on sale of agricultural land. The Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Easwaran S. observed that “it is significant in this regard to observe that the claim of the assessee, being for exemption from the levy of income tax as applicable...

Kerala High Court Seeks Centre's Stand On Athlete Vismaya V K's Plea Against Denial Of Exemption In Doping Test

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (March 13) sought Centre's response to a petition filed by athlete and 2018 Asian Games Gold Medalist Vismaya V. K. against the denial of exemption given to her in doping test. The petition was considered by Justice C. S. Dias.The athlete failed the doping test conducted in August 2024. She submitted before the Court that prohibited substance was found in...

[General Clauses Act] Irrespective Of Number Of Days, Expiry Period Of 1-Month Should Be Based On Corresponding Date In Following Month: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court held that irrespective of the number of days in a month or months, the expiration of one month should be determined by identifying the corresponding date in the following month.The Court clarified that if period of a month starts on January 15, one month would expire on February 15 even if this results in a duration of 32 days. Similarly, Court stated if the period of...

Munambam Land Dispute| 'Issue Before Waqf Tribunal' : Kerala High Court Sets Aside Appointment Of Inquiry Commission

The Kerala High Court on Monday(17th March) allowed the petition challenging the appointment of Inquiry Commission to find a permanent solution in the dispute between the Munambam residents and the Waqf Board. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that the order of appointment has to be set aside as the matter was still pending before the Waqf Tribunal."However, as the issue is in...