Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up : March 09 - March 15, 2026

Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 132 - 147]New India Assurance and Ors. v The Federal bank Ltd., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 132Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 133Rafeek v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 134Saheer v. The Ombudsman for Local Self Government and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 135Union of India and Anr. v. Mohanan Madathil Koliyat, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 136X v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 137Dr. Rasheed Ahammed P. and Anr. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 138Ashique v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 139Vellinakshathram and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 140Shwetha Menon v. State of Kerala and another, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 141Adv. P.T. Joseph v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 142State Nodal Officer and Ors. v. Manoj M.S. and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 143Jayalekshmi L. v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 144Professor M.K. Sanoo v. State of Kerala and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 145Koshy Abraham v. Shaji and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 146Blue Star Aluminium & Door House v. The Federal Bank Ltd., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 147Judgments/ Orders This WeekATM Fraud Losses Arising Out Of Other Banks' Cards Not Covered When Banker's Indemnity Policy Excludes Such Losses: Kerala High CourtCase Title: New India Assurance and Ors. v The Federal bank Ltd.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 132The Kerala High Court has held that losses suffered by a bank due to fraudulent ATM withdrawals using debit cards issued by other banks are not covered under a Banker's Indemnity Insurance Policy when the policy expressly excludes losses arising from the use of ATMs.The Division Bench comprising Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar set aside a trial court decree that had directed the insurer to indemnify the bank for losses caused by ATM fraud. 'Medical Service Is Essential': Kerala High Court Directs State To Provide Uninterrupted Medical Services Amid Doctors' StrikeCase Title: Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi v. State of Kerala and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 133The Kerala High Court recently closed the public interest litigation seeking a direction to the State to ensure uninterrupted functioning of Out-Patient Departments (OPD) and all essential medical services in Government Medical Colleges in view of the indefinite boycott by the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA), initiated on February 16.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.R. observed that the medical services is an essential service and it is the State's duty to ensure that the same is uninterrupted.Kerala High Court Allows Accused To Renew Passport With 5-Year Validity For Overseas EmploymentCase Title: Rafeek v. State of Kerala and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 134The Kerala High Court recently permitted a person accused in two criminal cases to renew his passport with a validity of 5 years in order to enable him to travel abroad for his new job in Oman.Justice C.S. Dias was considering a plea wherein the petitioner had filed applications in both the cases before the trial court for permission to renew his passport and to travel abroad. Though these applications were allowed, the trial court did not specify the validity period of the passport.Ombudsman For Local Self Government Institutions Can't Entertain Complaints Against Village Officer: Kerala High CourtCase Title: Saheer v. The Ombudsman for Local Self Government and Anr.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 135The Kerala High Court recently held that a complaint against a Village Officer cannot be entertained before the Ombudsman for Local Self Government Institutions.Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan was considering a plea preferred by a Village Officer aggrieved by the proceedings pending against him before the Ombudsman that was initiated on the basis of a complaint. Unreasoned Medical Board Opinion Can't Be Basis To Deny Disability Pension To Persons In Military Service: Kerala High CourtCase Title: Union of India and Anr. v. Mohanan Madathil KoliyatCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 136The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that a reasoned opinion by a Medical Board is indispensable in denying disability pension to armed forces personnel.The division bench comprising Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John were delivering the judgment in a writ petition filed by the Union of India challenging an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal.Bail In POCSO Case Can Be Set Aside If Victim Not Heard : Kerala High CourtCase Title: X v. State of Kerala and Anr.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 137The Kerala High Court has held that bail granted to an accused in offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act can be set aside if the victim or guardian is not given an opportunity to be heard before the bail order is passed.Justice C. Pratheep Kumar was considering a criminal miscellaneous case...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up : March 09 - March 15, 2026

K. Salma Jennath

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