Kerala High Court Strikes Down 20-Page Cap On Free RTI Information For Below Poverty Line Applicants As Ultra Vires RTI Act

The Kerala High Court has struck down proviso to Rule 4(4) of the Kerala Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2006, which restrict free supply of information under RTI Act to persons below the poverty line (BPL) to twenty pages. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 355]Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. found that the proviso to the afore Rule, requiring payment for information above 20...

Cashew Corp Scam: Kerala High Court Grants State Time To Produce Sanction Order To Prosecute Corrupt Ex-Officials

The Kerala High Court was today (July 2) informed by the Advocate General representing the State that sanction order has been decided to be passed in accordance with the Court's direction to prosecute the alleged corrupt ex-officers of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).Justice A. Badharudeen today recorded the submission of AG Jaju Babu that government has decided to give...

Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection To Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) granted interim protection to an advocate accused of threatening and intimidating an Intelligence Officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).Justice C.S. Dias passed the order in the petition seeking to quash the FIR."The Investigating Officer...is directed not to take any coercive proceedings as against the petitioner till 03.07.2026," the...

PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Against Relaxation Of Star-Rating Norms For Bar Licence Renewals

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging a State Government decision permitting the renewal of FL-3 and FL-11 liquor licences for hotels that have applied for, but have not yet obtained, mandatory star classification from the Ministry of Tourism.A Government communication dated February 13, 2026, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary...

Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer Moves Kerala High Court For Quashing FIR

An advocate has moved a plea before the Kerala High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered based on a complaint by Narcotics Control Bureau's Intelligence Officer alleging that the former had criminally intimidated the officer during remand proceedings.According to the plea, a crime was registered by the Ernakulam Town Police Station alleging commission of offences under Sections...

'Taking Court's Directions For A Ride': Kerala High Court Warns Of Summoning Law, Cabinet Secretaries Over Delay In Anti-Ragging Bill

The Kerala High Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the State Government's continued delay in finalising and placing the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025 before the Cabinet, observing that the matter has remained pending for more than a year despite repeated judicial directions.The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran...

Kerala High Court Issues Notice Before Admission On Plea Alleging VC Illegally Replaced Kerala University Standing Counsel

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) issued notice before admission in a plea challenging the appointment of Advocate Girija Gopal as standing counsel for the University of Kerala, by the Vice-Chancellor.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, however, dispensed with notice to Advocate Girija as well as Advocate Thomas Abraham, who was replaced by Girija.The petition was preferred by Dr. Manoj...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Interfere With Conferment Of Padma Bhushan To Vellappally Natesan

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) refused to interfere with the conferment of Padma Bhushan award to SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan. Natesan was conferred with the award by the President just last week for his contributions to social service in Kerala.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a public interest litigation...

Nedumangad Child Death: Kerala Govt Terminates Child Protection Officer Who 'Ignored' Grandmother's Complaint About Abuse

The Kerala government on Wednesday (July 1) informed the High Court regarding the termination of the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), who purportedly failed to take any steps to protect the 1.5 year-old-infant, who died in Negumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on May 29, 2026 on account of torture by his mother's partner, Ashkar.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice...

Christian Organisation Moves Kerala High Court Challenging Waqf Board's Constitution, Upload Of Munambam Land On UMEED Portal

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been moved by the Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS) before the Kerala High Court challenging the recent filing of the Munambam properties into the UMEED Portal by the State Waqf Board, which it claimed to be "improperly constituted".The UMEED portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development) is a central government...

Veena George Assault Case: Accused Withdraws From Kerala High Court Plea Seeking Investigation By Senior Police Officer

The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) closed the the plea by the 1st accused seeking supervised investigation by a senior police official to look into the alleged assault on former Health Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station.When the matter came up before Justice G. Girish, the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the plea.The Court then granted permission and closed...

Kerala High Court Gives State 2 Weeks To Constitute Prison Monitoring Committee After Retired Judge Withdraws Consent Over Delay

The Kerala High Court on Monday (29 June) directed the State Government to constitute within a fortnight, the State Level Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation of the Supreme Court's directions with regard to prison conditions in the State.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the direction while hearing a suo motu writ...