'Justice Not Abstract But A Living Reality, Must Be Accessible To All': Kerala High Court Bids Farewell To Justice Amit Rawal

The Kerala High Court held a farewell reference for Justice Amit Rawal on Friday (September 19) who is set to retire on September 21 on attaining age of superaanuation. The ceremonial reference was attended by members of the Bench, Bar, and legal fraternity. Justice Rawal in his farewell speech expressed his gratitude to the Kerala Bar and Bench for embracing him with warmth since his transfer...

Kerala High Court Confirms Life Sentence Of Six Assailants In Munambam Abhilash Murder Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 18) confirmed the finding of guilt and sentence of life imprisonment granted to the six assailants in the Munambam Abhilash murder case. Abhilash, a CPI(M) activist hailing from Munambam, was murdered on the night of May 19 2005 by the appellants, who were workers of BJP using swords, iron rods, etc.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan...

Kerala Conservation Of Paddy Land & Wetland Act | Order Passed On Plea For Changing Nature Of Unnotified Land Appealable U/S 27B: High Court

The Kerala High Court held that the orders passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) on an application for change of nature of unnotified land are appealable under Section 27B of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008.The Court held that the application for change of nature of unnotified land submitted in Form 6, Form 7, or Form 9 under Rule 12 of the Kerala...

Buildings Providing Free Housing To Aged, Disabled Persons Who Served Religious/Charitable Institutions Exempt From Building Tax: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has recently observed that a building used to provide free housing to aged and disabled persons, and their dependents, would be exempt from tax if these persons had rendered their services in the charitable/religious institutions managed by the building owner. The building owner would be granted the benefit of Section 3(1)(b) of the Kerala Building Tax Act,...

S.124 & 125 BSA | Kerala High Court Issues Additional Directions For Recording Evidence Of Vulnerable Witnesses

The Kerala High Court recently passed a judgment outlining certain additional directions for recording the evidence of vulnerable witnesses. These directions are in addition to the guidelines issued through Notification No. D1-7/17562/2022 dated 21.12.2024, the Court clarified.Justice Gopinath P. was considering an appeal preferred by a convict challenging the conviction and sentence passed...

NH-544: Kerala High Court Hints At Resuming Toll Collection At Paliyekkara Toll Plaza

The Kerala High Court on Friday said it will consider allowing toll Collection at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza (Thrissur district) on NH-544 highway, from Monday onwards.The toll collection at the Plaza was suspended by an order dated August 6, following a 12-hour blockade purportedly due to ongoing construction projects sanctioned by the National Highways Authority of India. The decision was...

Previous Sanction Under Section 17A Not Required To Prosecute Public Servants for Benami Deals: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently observed that a public servant purchasing shares as “benami” and the purchasing of public property under a “benami” does not come within the purview of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018.According to the section, which was introduced by way of amendment on 26th July, 2018, no police officer can conduct an inquiry into an offence...

Kerala High Court Upholds Order For 'Quick Verification' Of Graft Complaint Against Ex-MD Of CIAL Over Alleged Illegal Transfer Of Shares

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 18) upheld the order of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) directing quick verification in a complaint made against V.J. Kurian, former Managing Director of Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL).Justice A. Badharudeen passed the order while considering a plea by Kurian challenging the quick verification order passed by the...

Kerala High Court Upholds Conviction Of Public Servant In Corruption Case, Cites Her 'Voluntary' Confession

The Kerala High Court refused to interfere with a trial court order, which found a public servant guilty of misappropriating over ₹2 Lakh, observing that the sanction order under the Prevention of Corruption Act was issued by the authority after due application of mind and that the accused had voluntarily given handwritten confessional statements. The court also said that the accused had...

Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused U/S 69 BNS, Cites Consensual Relationship With Victim

The Kerala High Court granted bail to a man booked for engaging in sexual relations with a divorced woman on the pretext of marriage, observing that prima facie there seemed to be a consensual relationship between the two. The case arose from allegations against the petitioner, accused under Sections 69(Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc), 74(Assault or use of criminal force...

Petrol Pump Toilets On National Highways To Be Open During Working Hours, Not 24X7: Kerala High Court Modifies Single Judge Order

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 18) modified a Single judge's interim order mandating all petroleum retail outlets located along National Highways in the state to keep their washrooms open to the public 24/7.The Division Bench comprising Justice Amit Rawal and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan modified the first two directions passed by the Single Judge to the extent that it mandated...

Kerala High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Plea Against Arundhati Roy's Book Showing Her Smoking Without Health Warning

The Kerala High Court has called for Centre's response on a petition filed challenging Arundhati Roy's book "Mother Mary Comes To Me", the cover of which shows her smoking a Bidi without any statutory health warning.The Petitioner, an advocate, seeks stay on the book's sale without the statutory label.When the matter came before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and...