Kerala High Court Directs Devaswom Board Not To Engage Security In 'Bouncer' Attire Inside Temple Precincts

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (03 November) directed the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) to refrain from engaging personnel wearing inappropriate attire, including T-shirts bearing the word “bouncer,” for security during temple festivals or within the temple precincts.The division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar, delivered the judgment while...

Kerala High Court Impleads Distributor & Certifier After Finding Continued Sale Of Chemical Kumkum In Sabarimala Despite Earlier Ban

In a move to ascertain whether the KumKum being distributed in Erumeli Panchayat is naturally sourced or chemical KumKum, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 3) suo motu impleaded the enterprise distributing the KumKum and the agency certifying it to be naturally sourced.The Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar was seized with a suo motu petition...

Suraj Lama Missing Case: Kerala High Court Slams Lapses In Handling Deported Indian, Asks “What Protocol We Have In Civilised Country?”

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (December 04) expressed concern over the administrative handling of Suraj Lama, an Indian citizen who was reportedly deported from Kuwait and subsequently went missing after arriving in Kochi.The Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha were hearing the habeas corpus plea filed by the missing man's son.It is reported...

SVLDRS Benefits Cannot Be Denied If Payment Falls Within SC's COVID-19 Extended Limitation Period: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that payments made under Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme (SVLDRS) are valid if they fall within the extended limitation period granted by the Supreme Court during the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. found that SVLDRS proceedings are quasi-judicial in nature, and hence covered under Supreme Court's suo...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Quashes Magistrate Order Denying FIR Copy To ED; Says Fresh Application Must Show Proceeds Of Crime

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 03) set aside the Ranni Magistrate court's order denying the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) access to the First Information Report and First Information Statement before the Crime Branch in the Sabarimala gold theft case.The ED had approached the High Court challenging the order that dismissed its application for issuance of certified copies of...

Ayurvedic Treatment Centre Classified As 'Hospital', Not 'Hotel', Luxury Tax Cannot Be Imposed: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an Ayurvedic Treatment centre is to be classified as a 'hospital' and not 'hotel', and therefore, luxury tax cannot be imposed. Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon stated that the Ayurvedic Treatment Centre admits patients undergoing prescribed Ayurvedic treatment for a minimum duration, without offering hotel amenities,...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail To Former Devaswom Board Officials

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (December 4) denied pre-arrest bail to S. Sreekumar, the former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who is arraigned as the 6th accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case.The Court also rejected the anticipatory bail plea of TDB's former Secretary, S. Jayasree, who stands arrayed as the 4th accused.Justice A. Badharudeen...

Lack Of Independent Witnesses Does Not Dilute Cruelty Allegations In S.498A IPC Cases: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the absence of independent witnesses in cases arising under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code cannot, by itself, weaken the prosecution's case. The Court stressed that evidence from close relatives is not to be discarded merely because of their relationship with the victim.For context, Section 498A of IPC deals with cruelty towards a woman by her husband...

Kerala High Court Grants SIT Six More Weeks To Complete Probe Into Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 3) gave the Special Investigation Team (SIT) 6 more weeks to conclude its investigation into the plundering of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and lintels of the Sabarimala temple.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar had conducted the proceedings in-camera and interacted with the investigating officer, who...

Sabarimala Overcrowding: Kerala High Court Extends Order Restricting Pilgrims' Entry Only With Valid Passes At Allotted Time Slots

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 03) ordered that status quo shall be maintained so as to ensure compliance with its November 27 directions regarding entry to Sabarimala temple only with valid passes and strict adherence to permitted date/time slots.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, after considering the submissions made before...

CGST | Dept Must First Proceed Against Supplier Before Issuing Show Cause To Recipient For ITC Mismatch: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the department cannot proceed against a recipient for ITC mismatch without first initiating proceedings against the supplier. Section 42(3) of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, deals with the communication of discrepancies in Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims between the recipient and the supplier. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A....

Kerala High Court Applies Henderson Principle, Says Withholding Claims To Re-Litigate Later Is Abuse Of Process

The Kerala High Court has recently observed that when a party deliberately withholds certain claims or issues in one proceedings with the intention to raise them in a subsequent litigation disguised as a distinct or separate remedy or proceeding from the initial one, such subsequent litigation will fall under the 'Henderson Principle'.The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran...