Renovation Of Padmanabhaswamy Temple Idol Must Proceed With Sanctity: Kerala High Court Awaits Sculptors' Consent

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (19 November) directed the Administrative Committee of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to update it on the consent of the shilpis (sculptors) and the finalisation of materials required for renovation of the temple's Moolavigraha (principal idol).The division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha were considering a petition...

Only Officers Of Integrity Should Serve At Sabarimala: Kerala High Court Flags Pending Crime, Departmental Action Against Recent Appointee

The Kerala High Court recently highlighted the need to appoint officers of integrity and good service record for duty in the control rooms at Sannidhanam in Sabarimala.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar flagged the crime and departmental proceedings pending against the recently appointed Police Controller, Sri. Krishnakumar R.The...

Kerala High Court Decries Simultaneous Bail Pleas Before Different Courts, Mandates Undertaking In All Future Bail Applications

The Kerala High Court has deprecated the practice of filing simultaneous bail applications before different courts and directed that all future bail petitions must include a mandatory undertaking confirming that no other bail plea is pending before any District court.Justice A. Badharudeen issued the directions while considering the bail application of the Superintendent at Kochi Corporation...

Affidavit Of Cost Accountant In Personal Hearing Cannot Be Ignored When Facts Are Admitted By State Tax Officer: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an affidavit by professionals, such as a cost accountant, given during a personal hearing, cannot be ignored, especially when a state tax officer admits facts referred therein. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that when a professional swears an affidavit before this Court, highlighting the matters that transpired during the course of the hearing,...

KVAT Act | Permission For Compounding Tax Cannot Be Cancelled For Suppression; Only Suppressed Turnover Can Be Taxed: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that under the KVAT Act (Kerala Value Added Tax Act, 2003), the assessing authority cannot cancel permission to pay tax at compounding rates for suppression in the same year it was opted, and only the suppressed turnover can be taxed at normal rates. Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim opined that cancellation proceedings are still pending, and the cancellation...

Govt Obligated To Disclose All Statutory Restrictions On Re-Registration Of Vehicles Auctioned By It: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the Government and its instrumentalities have an obligation to disclose all statutory bars, restriction, or limitations on re-registration of vehicles auctioned by them.The Court observed that the obligation of the government flows from the constitutional mandate of fairness, transparency and non-arbitrariness embedded in Articles 14 and 298 of the...

Motor Accidents | Standard Multiplier Need Not Be Applied Mechanically When Victim Dies Due To Unrelated Causes: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently clarified the appropriate multiplier to be applied for assessing the disability compensation when an injured claimant in a motor accident claims, dies from causes unrelated to the accident and injury.The division bench comprising Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar delivered the judgement while considering a batch of petitions of Motor...

Cancelled GST Registration Cannot Be Restored Solely To Claim ITC Benefit U/S 16(6) CGST Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that a cancelled GST registration cannot be restored solely to claim the ITC (Input Tax Credit) benefit under Section 16(6) CGST Act (Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017). Section 16(6) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, enables the taxpayer to claim the input tax credit available in the ledger, in case the order...

Inmates Of Mental Health Rehab Centre Can Vote In General Elections Unless Declared Disqualified By Competent Court: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently paved way for the inmates of a mental health rehabilitation centre to vote in the ensuing 2025 general elections.Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan rejected a plea arguing that such persons are incompetent to cast their votes according to their will.The bench observed that Courts can't presume that the inmates are mentally challenged persons or suffering from...

Man Starting New Marriage For 'Greener Pasture' Won't Turn Prior Consensual Relationship Into 'Rape': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court, in a recent judgment, held that if a man starts a new marriage in search of 'greener pasture', the same by itself, would not turn his prior, consensual sexual relationships into 'rape' as per the Indian Penal Code.Justice G. Girish clarified that in such cases, consent for earlier sexual relationships cannot be said to have been obtained on false promise to...

Contractor Can Claim Increased GST During Work, Even If Bills Were Paid Before Rates Increased: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that a contractor can claim increased GST (Goods and Services Tax) during work, even if bills were paid before the rate increase. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. opined that at the time of execution of the contract, the rate was only 5% and the increase took place during the execution of the work. Thus, the assessee is entitled to a differential amount of tax....

CSR Funds Scam: Kerala High Court Allows Consolidated Bail Bonds For Accused Facing Over 1300 Cases

The Kerala High Court recently (November 13) allowed an accused, facing over 1,300 criminal cases across the State in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Scam, to secure his release on bail by executing single district-wise surety bonds, instead of separate bonds in each case.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas delivered the judgment while allowing the petition filed by K N Anadakumar, who...