GST Appellate Authority Must Pass Order On Merits Even If There's No Appearance; Can't Dismiss For Default: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an appellate authority under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act (CGST Act 2017) must consider the merits of an appeal even if there is no appearance on behalf of the appellant.The Court stated that the order must be passed on merits and that the dismissal cannot be merely for default. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a writ petition filed by...

Karuvannur Bank Scam: Kerala High Court Cautions Police To Conduct Probe Without Coming Under Political Pressure

The Kerala High Court has directed the Police officer investigating the Karuvannur bank scam to conduct the probe without coming under any sort of pressure from political or bureaucratical quarters. The Court ordered that if the investigating officer fails to perform his duty, he will bear the brunt.“The investigating officer is warned against coming under pressure from any political...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up: April 7 – 13, 2025

Nominal Index [Citations: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 228 – 240]Balu v State of Kerala and Others, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 228P. Gopalakrishnan @ Dileep v State of Kerala, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 229Himaval Maheshwara Bhadrananda v State of Kerala and Another, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 230Amal Nisham v The State of Kerala and Another, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 231K. N. Anand Kumar v State of Kerala, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker)...

College Supplying Food Through Canteen Managed By Educational Trust Is Liable For Registration Under KVAT Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that college supplying food through canteen, though managed by educational trust, is liable for registration under KVAT Act. The bench disagreed with the assessee that even if it is assumed that the sales in the canteen are found to be assessable under the provisions of the VAT, it falls within the threshold limit and therefore, the assessee cannot...

Centre Notifies Transfer Of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari From MP HC To Kerala High Court

The Central Government has notified the transfer of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari from Madhya Pradesh High Court to the Kerala High Court.The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his transfer following the meetings held on 20th March 2025, 24th March 2025 and 03rd April 2025.Born on 8th July, 1966 at Raipur, Justice Dharmadhikari has an experience of 24 years as an Advocate in the...

'Love Deepens As We Grow Older': Kerala HC Grants Bail To 91-Yr-Old Man Accused Of Stabbing 88-Yr-Old Wife For Allegedly Suspecting He Had Illicit Affairs

The Kerala High Court granted bail to a 91-year-old man who was accused of attacking his 88-year-old wife with a knife, whereby she sustained serious injuries.Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan observed that the 91-year-old should be allowed to live with his wife in his old age.The petitioner's version was that he stabbed his wife as she insulted him by saying that he had illicit relationships...

Kerala High Court Quashes POCSO Case Against Asianet News' Journalists, Staff Booked For Disclosing Survivor's Identity To Get High TRP

The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 11) quashed a POCSO case registered against Asianet News journalists and staff for allegedly conspiring and disclosing the identity of a minor rape survivor, in order to get high TRP.Justice A. Badharudeen observed that the alleged offences are not made out from the facts of the case. It however cautioned channels against airing allegations without...

Kerala High Court Cautions Media Houses Against Publishing Unverified, One-Sided Stories To Boost TRP

The Kerala High Court has flagged the rising trend among media houses publishing 'mere allegations' leveled by a party against the other, without proper verification, only to increase their TRP (Television Rating Point).Stating that it is both their journalistic and moral responsibility to not publish one-sided story and to verify the news before telecast, Justice A. Badharudeen urged,"it...

Kerala High Court Strikes Down GST Act Provision Which Levied Tax On Supplies By Clubs/Associations To Members

In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court has struck down the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, which allowed the levy of GST on supply by clubs and associations to its members.As per the 2021 amendment made to the CGST Act, the definition of "supply" was amended to include within its fold "activities or transactions, by a person, other than an individual, to...

'Not Maintainable': Kerala High Court Dismisses Daughters' Review Petition Against Donation Of CPI(M) Leader MM Lawrence's Body

The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 11) dismissed the review petition filed against the Single Bench decision that dismissed Asha Lawrence's challenge against the donation of the body of her father–CPI(M) leader MM Lawrence–to a medical college. Lawrence had passed away on September 21, 2024. Since then, there was a series of litigations against the decision to donate his body to...

Once Tax Has Been Assessed, Entire Amount Has To Be Paid, Unless There Are Amnesty Schemes: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that once tax has been assessed, entire amount has to be paid, unless there are amnesty schemes. “The assessee had even acquiesced into the order by paying the first instalment and thereafter he has turned around and now requests for acceptance of a portion of the amount in satisfaction of the entire tax assessed. Such a procedure is unheard in law....

Kerala High Court Orders CBI Probe Against Former Chief Secretary KM Abraham In Disproportionate Assets Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday (11th April) ordered CBI enquiry into former Chief Secretary of Kerala K. M. Abraham in a case of illegal amassment of wealth. The order was passed by Justice K. Babu in a petition filed by Jomon Puthenpurackal, a popular activist. It is alleged that while serving as the Additional Chief Secretary of Financial Department, Abraham acquired wealth disproportionate...