Prima Facie Consensual Relationship: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Film Director Omar Lulu In Rape Case

Kerala High Court on Friday (20th December) granted bail to Malayalam Movie director Omar Lulu in a rape case. Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan observed that prima facie, the relationship between the director and the complainant seems to be a consensual one. However, the Court added that the investigating officer may continue investigation into the matter.“I don't want to make any observations...

Shuttling Child Between Two Forums Causes Inconvenience And Is Detrimental To Child's Welfare: Kerala High Court In Custody Battle

The Kerala High Court set aside an order issued by the Child Welfare Committee, which had directed the child to be produced before it without hearing the preliminary objections of the mother. The Court noted that the father filed a parallel petition before the Child Welfare Committee, while his original petition for custody was still pending before the Family Court.Justice C S Dias observed...

ESI | Medical Reimbursement Can't Be Denied Merely Because Insured Person Got Treated At Hospital Not Approved By Insurer: Kerala HC Reaffirms

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (December 19) reiterated that medical reimbursement cannot be denied because an insured underwent treatment in a hospital not approved by the insurer.The petitioner sought reimbursement from the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESI), since her husband had to undergo an emergency liver transplantation in a non ESIC hospital. And, his claim for...

'Regretful Litigation' : Kerala High Court On Daughter Opposing Donation Of CPI(M) Leader's Body To Medical College

The Kerala High while dismissing the appeals filed by daughters of M. M. Lawrence against the decision of Single Judge allowing the donation of CPI(M) Veteran to Ernakulam Government Medical College observed that it is “preferable that quietus be reached in this case”. The Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu observed in the order that they consider...

Vandiperiyar Rape-Murder: Kerala High Court Asks Accused To Appear Before POCSO Court Upon State's Appeal Against Acquittal

The Kerala High Court asked the sole accused, Arjun in the infamous Vandiperiyar rape and murder case to appear before the Special Court for the Trial of Offences Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in Kattappana.Notably, he was acquitted by the POCSO court last year in the rape and murder of a 5 and a half year old girl at Vandiperiyar town in Idukki district in 2021....

Kerala High Court Directs State To Constitute Teams For Carrying Out Census Of Captive Elephants, Identifying Their Custodians

The Kerala High Court today directed the State Government to constitute a team for conducting a census of captive Elephants in the State. The Court stated that the census shall be carried district wise, and the team shall consist of District Collector and Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry) from each district. The Court further directed the Chief Wildlife Warden to collect the data...

Kerala HC Extends Nodal Officer's Jurisdiction To Receive Complaints Of Victims From Film Industry Who Were Not Before Hema Committee

The Kerala High Court has extended the jurisdiction of the nodal officer to accept the grievances of harassment/abuse from persons in the film industry who were not before the Justice Hema Committee. The Court further ordered that the nodal officer on receipt of such complaints of harassment/abuse can forward it to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for further investigation.Previously, the...

'Goonda' Under Kerala Anti-Social Activities Act Includes Drug Offender, Need Not Show 'Activities Harmful To Public Order': High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that if a person satisfies the definition of drug offender, then he would automatically come within the definition of goonda under Section 2 (j) of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA).The petitioner's son is detained under the KAAPA Act on the finding that he is a 'drug offender' and would come under the ambit of definition of...

Kerala High Court Orally Warns Of Action Against People Making 'Personal Attack' On Judge For Ordering Removal Of Unauthorised Flex Boards

While hearing a 2018 plea concerning installation of unauthorized boards/banners in public places, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 18) orally warned of action against people who believe they can attack a Judge for passing orders in the matter.During the hearing, Justice Devan Ramachandran orally observed that these people will be dealt with. The court orally said:“Those people...

Kerala High Court Declares Recent Delimitation Exercise Invalid For Eight Municipalities, One Panchayat

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (18th December) declared the delimitation exercise carried out in 2024 in Padne Grama Panchayat, Panoor Municipality, Mukkom Municipality, Koduvally Municipality, Payyoli Municipality, Sreekandapuram Municipality, Feroke Municipality, Pattambi Municipality and Mattannur Municipality as invalid. Justice Mohammed Nias C. P. observed that a delimitation...

Criminal Proceedings Involving Serious Offences Under POCSO Act Can't Be Quashed On Settlement Between Parties: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that remote chance of conviction due to compromise between the accused and the complainant should not serve as a ground to terminate investigation abruptly and to quash the FIR and further proceedings in serious offences involving POSCO Act.In the present case, the petitioner was accused of subjecting a 17-year-old girl to sexual intercourse by giving promise...

Kerala High Court Quashes Case Against Public Servant For Commenting On CM's Plea To Govt Officers To Donate 1-Month Salary For Flood Relief

The Kerala High Court quashed proceedings against a public servant for allegedly making "sarcastic comments" on a WhatsApp group concerning the Chief Minister's appeal to government officers to donate their one-month salary to a relief fund after the 2018 floods.The court found that the alleged comments were not intended to cause any injury to the benificiaries of the flood relief scheme as...