Kerala High Court Quashes Case Against Film Distributor Swargachitra Appachan For Allegedly Tampering With 2004 Movie 'Vellinakshatram'

The Kerala High Court has quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against film distributor Appachan, prominently known as Swargachitra Appachan booked for allegedly tampering with Malayalam film 'Vellinakshtram'.The prosecution alleged that a distressing scene in which actor Siddique strangles a small child, was inserted in the film "after" it was certified by the Censor Board. Thus, a...

Kerala High Court Prevents Arrest Of Rapper Vedan In Alleged Rape Case

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (August 19) passed an interim order not to arrest Rapper Vedan while considering his anticipatory bail plea in a case alleging rape on false promise to marry.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that Vedan shall not be arrested since his bail application is being considered by the Court. On Monday, the Court had allowed the petition filed by the de...

Kerala High Court Seeks Urgent Action On Cleaning Of Periyar River's Tributary, Moots Formation Of Unified River Authority

While hearing a batch of matters concerning pollution of Periyar river, the Kerala High Court has sought urgent action with respect to the river's tributary Kuzhikandam Thodu, reiterating the need for a unified river authority.During the hearing a division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha expressed serious concern over the continuing inaction on cleaning...

Angamaly Co-op Scam: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Two Booked For Misappropriating ₹115.8 Crores By Allegedly Giving Fake Loans

The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 18) granted bail to two persons booked in the Angamaly Urban Cooperative Society scam case, who along with other accused are booked for misappropriating ₹115.8 Crores by allegedly granting fake loans.The crime was registered alleging that the accused persons, who are the members of the Managing Committee of the Angamaly Urban Cooperative Society,...

Kerala High Court To Consider Vedan's Anticipatory Bail In Rape Case Tomorrow, Impleads Complainant

The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 18) permitted the complainant in a rape case filed against rapper Vedan, officially known as Hiran Das Murali, to be impleaded as a party-respondent in his plea seeking anticipatory bail.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas thus allowed the plea moved by the de facto complainant, on whose complaint the case was registered by Thrikkakkara Police under Sections...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up: August 11 – August 17, 2025

Nominal Index [Citations: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 491 - 501]Suo Motu Proceedings Initiated by the High Court v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 491Asif Azad v. Shafna C. and others, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 492Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly v. State of Kerala, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 493Elvin John Mathew v State of Kerala, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 494M.N. Narayana Das v. State of Kerala, 2025 LiveLaw...

Dowry Prohibition Portal in Place for Public Complaints : State Tells Kerala High Court

The State government informed Kerala High Court about the launch of dedicated Dowry Prohibition Portal for public to file complaints. The submissions were made via a counter affidavit submitted by the State on the ongoing PIL filed by a law graduate and public policy professional, seeking a direction to the State to bring in accountability regarding the complaints made pursuant to Rule 5 of...

Kerala High Court Advocates' Association Takes Exception To Appointment Of Students As Amici, Writes To CJ Seeking Rules Of Engagement

The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) has written to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court outlining the need to incorporate Rules in the Rules of the High Court of Kerala regarding the engagement of amicus curiae in cases.Last week, one of the Benches of the Court had appointed two law students as amici curiae in a bail application related to an offence under the NDPS Act...

Presumption U/S 139 NI Act Exists Even If Cheque Issued To NBFC That Charged Interest In Excess Of Money Lenders Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the presumption in favour of a cheque holder under Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act exists even if the non-banking financial company (NBFC) to which the cheque was issued charged interest higher than that permissible under the Kerala Money-Lenders Act.Justice M.B. Snehalatha observed:“The Hon'ble Apex Court held that the entire life of a...

Kerala High Court Orders Conditional Arrest Of Panaman-Flagged MV MSC Makoto-II In Admiralty Suits Claiming Nearly ₹2.8 Crores In Damages

The Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered the conditional arrest of MV MSC Makoto-II, a vessel flying the flag of Panama in six separate admiralty suits claiming damages totalling around Rupees 2.8 crores.After considering the supporting documents produced by the plaintiffs, Justice Easwaran S. passed the interim orders for arrest of the vessel, which is presently at Vizhinjam Port...

Registrar Can't Alter Father's Name In Child's Birth Certificate Without Hearing Him, Must Consider Conclusive Proof U/S 118 Evidence Act: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court recently held that the Registrar does not have the power to change the name of the father in the birth certificate of a child without considering the conclusive proof under Section 118 of the Indian Evidence Act.As per the provision, when a child is born during the subsistence of a valid marriage or within 280 days after its dissolution, it is conclusive proof that the...

'Right To Motorable Road Is Constitutional Right', Says Kerala High Court As It Awaits Road Safety Audit Report

“The right to a motorable road, without any doubt, is now a constitutional right, because the right to travel is within the compass of the fundamental right,” the Kerala High Court orally observed today.Justice Devan Ramachandran made the remark while dealing with a case concerning “spate of accidents” in the State owing to poor road maintenance and rampant traffic violations.The...