High Court Asks Kerala Water Authority, Travancore Devaswom Board To Streamline Water Supply In Sabarimala, Resolve Billing Dispute

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 12) directed the reconstitution of a committee formed by the officials of Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to resolve the billing dispute between the two regarding water supplied by KWA to the TDB.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar directed for the inclusion...

Exclusion Of Transgender Persons From NCC Not Unconstitutional Under Present Law: Kerala HC Urges Legislative Amendment For Inclusivity

The Kerala High Court has held that the exclusion of transgender persons from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) does not currently violate the Constitution, as the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948, in its present form, restricts enrollment to students of the male and female sexes. The Court, however, urged the Union Government to consider amending the law to ensure inclusivity.Justice N...

'Better To Approach SC': Kerala High Court To State On Plea To Defer SIR; Reserves Order

The Kerala High Court today reserved its order on the State government's plea to defer the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State, ahead of elections to Local Self Government Institutions.During the hearing, Justice V.G. Arun orally expressed disinclination to hear the matter and asked the State to approach the Supreme Court, where similar matters are pending."I am...

S.144 BNSS | Mother Can Claim Maintenance From Children Even If Her Husband Maintains Her: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the right of a woman to claim maintenance from her son or daughter under Section 144 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) is independent of her husband's obligation to maintain her.Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath observed,“The fact that the husband of a woman has sufficient means and provides maintenance to her would not absolve the son of...

Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act | Kerala High Court Raps Competent Authority For 'Callous Inaction' In ₹2,000-Crore Popular Finance Scam

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (November 11) pulled up Competent Authority under Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 (BUDS Act) for its continued inaction and non-compliance with court directives in the proceedings related to the Popular Finance unregulated deposit scam, estimated to have defrauded around 30,000 investors of nearly ₹2,000 crore.The Division Bench...

'Cultivating' Cannabis Plant An Offence Under NDPS Act Whether Planted In Pots Or In Earth: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently clarified that cultivation of cannabis plant is an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), and that it does not distinguish between cannabis plants grown in pots or in the earth.Justice C.S. Dias observed,“the expression 'cultivate any cannabis plant' used in Sections 8 (b) and 20 (a) of the Act encompasses any act of...

'No Evidence Of Control Or Exploitation': Kerala High Court Quashes Child Labour Case Under Juvenile Justice Act

The Kerala High Court recently quashed the criminal proceedings against the licensee of a rubber band manufacturing unit, who was booked under Sections 75 [Punishment for cruelty to child] and 79 [Exploitation of a child employee] of the Juvenile Justice Act for engaging child labourers.Justice C. Pratheep Kumar relied on the Apex Court decision in Narang S.C. v. State (2025) and the Kerala...

DRAT Need Not Mandate 50% Of Debt Due As Pre-Deposit To Entertain Appeals, Must Consider Subject Matter: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that there is no mandate under law that the pre-deposit amount should always be 50% of the debt due, while entertaining appeals under Section 18 SARFAESI [Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest] Act, challenging the order of the Debts Recovery Tribunal.It clarified that the Debt Recovery Appellate...

Bharat Mata Portrait Row: Kerala High Court Admits Plea By Kerala University Registrar To Revoke Suspension

The Kerala High Court has recently (November 11) admitted the petition of the Registrar of Kerala University, seeking revocation of Suspension following the Syndicate decision to revoke his suspension in the meeting convened on November 1, 2025.Justice N Nagaresh has admitted the petition and issued notice to the respondents. The petitioner, who has been suspended since July, 2025, has...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Relax Ban On Sale Of Chemical Kumkum At Sabarimala, Says Health & Ecology Over Commerce

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 12) refused to modify its order banning the sale of chemical kumkum and shampoo sachets in Sabarimala.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar remarked that it is concerned about the devotees and ecology of Sabarimala, and not the commercial aspects of kuthaka holders (stall owners), who may be affected...

Long-Term Posting Of Same Police Officer At Sabarimala Can Undermine Transparency, Efficiency: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has directed the Chief Police Co-ordinator to submit details of all police officers currently holding critical positions in Sannidhanam and Pamba, along with the duration of their posting.The division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar issued the direction while considering a Special Commissioner report pertaining to change of...

TP Chandrasekharan Murder | Kerala High Court Seeks State's Stand In Convict's Mother's Plea To Transfer Him From Thavanur Jail To Kannur

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (November 11) sought the State's stand while considering a plea to transfer N.P. Sunil Kumar @ Kodi Suni, undergoing life imprisonment for the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case, from Central Prison & Correctional Home, Thavanur (Malappuram) to Central Prison & Correctional Home, Kannur.Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath was considering a petition filed by...