Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up: March 23 - March 29, 2026

Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 162 - 174]Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly v. Jiohotstar Pvt. Ltd. and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 162The Metropolitan Archbishop, The Archeparchy of Kottayam and Anr. v. Knanaya Catholic Naveekarana Samithy and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 163Vaibhav Y. Kini and Ors. v. Mahatma Gandhi University and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 164X v. State of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 165Fr. K. K. Mathews, Son of Kuriakose v. Rev. Fr. C. K. Issac Cor Episcopa and Connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 166K.G. Manjumol v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 167Sabu M. Jacob v. Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 168Linson K. Thomas v. Union of India and Ors. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 169Puthuparambil Raju v. Kachiriyil Joseph, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 170Vijesh C.K. v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 171Arun Kumar P. v. State of Kerala and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 172Judgments/ Orders This WeekKoodathayi Murder: Kerala High Court Refuses To Stall Release Of Web Series 'Anali'; Directs Accused Jolly Joseph To Avail Statutory RemedyCase Title: Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly v Jiohotstar Pvt. Ltd. and AnrCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 162The Kerala High Court has recently (17 March) declined to restrain the release of the web series “Anali” on the OTT platform JioHotstar. The Court held that the petitioner has an effective alternative statutory remedy under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas disposed of the plea moved by Koodathayi murder accused Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly against the release of the web series while reserving the petitioner's liberty to pursue appellate remedy under Rule 12 of the Information Technology Rules 2021.Knanaya Community's Endogamy Not Essential Religious Practice, Excommunicating Members Marrying Outsiders Violates Rights: Kerala High CourtCase Title: The Metropolitan Archbishop, The Archeparchy of Kottayam and Anr. v. Knanaya Catholic Naveekarana Samithy and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 163The Kerala High Court on Monday (March 23) held that the practice of endogamy among the Knanaya Christians is not an essential religious practice and excommunicating members for marrying outsiders violates their fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India.Justice Easwaran S. dismissed the appeals filed by the Archeparchy of Kottayam and the Knanaya Catholic Congress, and upheld the concurrent findings of the trial court and the first appellate court.Kerala High Court Grants Relief To Law Students Barred From Writing Exam Due To Low Attendance, Says College Failed To Conduct Minimum ClassesCase Title: Vaibhav Y. Kini and Ors. v. Mahatma Gandhi University and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 164The Kerala High Court recently extended a helping hand to a few law students of St. Dominic's College of Law, after they were barred from writing their examinations due to attendance shortage.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas remarked that the college failed to conduct requisite number of classes and if it had the minimum number of hours, the students could have made up for the shortage in attendance or at least reached the condonable limits.Kerala High Court Calls For 'Child-Centric' Custody Approach, Urges Parents To Rise Above ConflictCase Title: X v State of Kerala and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 165The Kerala High Court has recently underscored the urgent need to shift from a parent-centric to a child-centric approach in custody disputes, highlighting the severe emotional toll such litigation imposes on children.A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha made the observation while considering a habeas corpus petition filed by a mother alleging illegal detention of her two minor children by their father.Courts Can't Order State To Take Over Churches Involved In Religious Disputes: Kerala High Court Sets Aside Takeover Of Six ChurchesCase Title: Fr. K. K. Mathews, Son of Kuriakose v. Rev. Fr. C. K. Issac Cor Episcopa and Connected casesCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 166The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (March 24) allowed the appeals filed challenging a 2024 order of the Single Judge directing the Collectors of Ernakulam and Palakkad districts to take over possession of six churches involved in the Orthodox – Jacobite faction feud.The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. pronounced the order in open court:"In a dispute relating to the religious affairs of a church, which is a parish church governed by the 1934 Constitution, the High Court cannot direct the civil administration to take over possession of the church. In appropriate cases where repeated disobedience of the decree passed by the competent court has resulted in a law and order situation, the High Court, being the constitutional court, can render justice by granting police protection to ensure that there is no law and order issues in the...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up: March 23 - March 29, 2026

K. Salma Jennath

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