Nominal Index

Sreethu v State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 316

Jomon Jaison and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr. and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 317

State of Kerala v. Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev T and connected case, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 318

M.C. Kunhunni Raja and Anr. v. The Commissioner, Malabar Devaswom Board and Ors. and connected cases, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 319

The New India Assurance Company Limited v. Devaki and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 320

Thomas Poulose and Ors. v. Albin Mathew @ Anto and Anr., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 321

Anish Kumar S v Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 322

The Secretary v K. Kanchana and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 323

Shijosh v The State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 324

Judgement/ Orders This Week

Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Mother Booked In Balaramapuram Child Murder Case

Case Title: Sreethu v State of Kerala

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 316

The Kerala High Court on Monday (08 June) granted bail to Sreethu, the second accused in Balaramapuram Child Murder case, who is accused of conspiring with the first accused in the alleged murder of her minor daughter.

Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath, granted the bail upon execution of a bond of ₹1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the like amount.

Kerala High Court Rejects CBSE Students' Challenge To State's 2026 Standardisation Formula For Professional Courses Admission

Case Title: Jomon Jaison and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr. and connected case

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 317

The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 8) rejected a plea filed by CBSE students challenging the State Government's 2026 Prospectus for Admission to Professional Degree Courses with respect to the standardisation formula for preparing ranklist to Engineering courses.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas remarked that the introduction of the new scheme of standardisation of marks is a matter of policy of the government and courts, not being experts in academic matters, can interfere only in exceptional circumstances of arbitrariness, mala fide or prejudice caused to students.

'Gave Clean Chit To Accused': Kerala High Court Expunges Trial Court's Remarks On SIT Probe Against Thantri Rajeev In Gold Theft Case

Case Title: State of Kerala v. Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev T and connected case

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 318

The Kerala High Court has recently expunged the the remarks made by the Special Judge against the investigation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Sabarimala Gold Theft case while granting bail to accused Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev Thantri.

Justice A Badharudeen, expunged the remarks while disposing of the petition by the State to cancel the bail granted to to Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev Thantri, who is arrayed as an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The court however did not cancel Rajeev Thantri's bail.

Kerala High Court Directs Formulation Of New Scheme For Effective Administration Of Sree Thirumandhankunnu Bhagavathy Temple

Case Title: M.C. Kunhunni Raja and Anr. v. The Commissioner, Malabar Devaswom Board and Ors. and connected cases

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 319

The Kerala High Court, in a recent decision, directed the Malabar Devaswom Board to formulate within three months a new scheme for the effective administration of Sree Thirumandhankunnu Bhagavathy Temple in Malappuram district.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar remarked that the present scheme framed in 1966 is ineffective, and ordered that a new scheme be drafted and be placed before the Court for approval.

Major Siblings Can Claim Compensation For 'Loss Of Dependency' If Proved By Evidence: Kerala High Court Upholds Award To Unmarried Sister

Case Title: The New India Assurance Company Limited v. Devaki and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 320

The Kerala High Court recently held that a sibling is entitled to compensation under the head of loss of dependency if dependency is established by adducing evidence before the Tribunal in motor accidents claims.

Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen upheld the compensation awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal to an unmarried and unemployed sister of the deceased, who had deposed and gave evidence regarding her dependency.

Motor Accident Claim | Salaried Deceased's Contribution As Homemaker Can't Be Added To Income Unless Evidence Is Adduced: Kerala High Court

Case Title: Thomas Poulose and Ors. v. Albin Mathew @ Anto and Anr.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 321

The Kerala High Court, in a recent judgment, held that in motor accident claims cases, contribution of a deceased as a homemaker, who also was a salaried employee, cannot be added to monthly income unless proved by evidence.

Justice Sobha Annamma Eapen was considering an appeal filed by the claimants seeking enhancement of compensation awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal.

Govt Employees Cannot Claim Hostel Subsidy Under Children's Education Allowance Scheme Merely Because School Mandates Hostel: Kerala HC

Case Title: Anish Kumar S v Union of India and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 322

The Kerala High Court has held that government employees are not entitled to claim hostel subsidy under the Children Education Allowance (CEA) Scheme merely because a school mandates hostel accommodation.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji was considering a challenge to an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Ernakulam Bench, which had rejected the employee's claim for hostel subsidy.

Person Awarded Work Through Quotation Process Can Still Be 'Employee' Under Employees Compensation Act If He Personally Executes Work: Kerala HC

Case Title: The Secretary v K. Kanchana and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 323

The Kerala High Court has held that a person engaged through a quotation or tender process may still qualify as an “employee”under Employees Compensation Act , 1923 and entitled to compensation if he personally participates in the execution of the work.

Justice S. Manu delivered the judgment in an appeal against the direction of the Industrial Tribunal and Employees Compensation Commissioner.

S.138 NI Act | Complainant Can Claim Benefit Of Presumptions After Proving Transaction, Execution Of Cheque In Convincing Manner: Kerala HC

Case Title: Shijosh v The State of Kerala

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 324

The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that the statutory presumptions available to complainants in cheque dishonour prosecutions under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, can be invoked only after the complainant first establishes the underlying transaction and execution of the cheque through competent evidence.

Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment, while considering an appeal against an acquittal in a cheque bounce case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (NI Act).

Other Important Development

Kerala High Court Directs Probe To Identify Lawyer Who Caused Distress To Child In Court Hall

Case Title: Sreedhanya Bhasakaran c Balakrishnan. V.S

Case No: OP(FC) 170/ 2026

The Kerala High Court on Friday (05 June) ordered steps to identify a lawyer who allegedly approached a child inside the court premises and conveyed a message which has caused the child significant emotional distress.

A Division Bench comprising Justice J. Nisha Banu and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen passed the order in an ongoing custody dispute between estranged parents.

Ashtamudi Wetland Conservation: Environment Secretary Tenders Unconditional Apology Before Kerala HC Over Delay In Implementing Directions

Case Title: Adv. Boris Paul v Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS & Others

Case No: Con. Case (C) 3008/ 2025

The Special Secretary of the Department of Environment, Kerala Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, tendered an unconditional apology before the Kerala High Court for the delay in implementation of the directions of the Court in a judgment dated July, 2025.

The apology is tendered in an affidavit is submitted in an ongoing contempt petition alleging delay in executing the directions in the judgment which had directed for formulation of a proper framework for the protection of Ashtamudi lake.

2017 Actress Assault Case: Kerala High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Survivor's Plea For Fresh Probe Into 'Memory Card Leak

Case No: WP(Crl.) 871/2026

Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Kerala High Court judge Justice Jobin Sebastian on Monday (June 8) recused himself from hearing a plea filed by the survivor in the 2017 Actress Assault Case seeking a fresh and comprehensive probe by a Special Investigation Team into the alleged illegal access of the memory card that contained visuals of the assault.

Kerala High Court Stays FIR Against Two US Citizens Booked For Flying Drone In Kochi's Red Zone

Case Title: Katie Michelle Phelps and Anr. v. State of Kerala

Case No: Crl.MC 4547/2026

The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 5) stayed, for a period of 2 months, all criminal proceedings initiated against two US citizens, who were booked for allegedly flying drones in the Red Zone near the Coast Guard Headquarters and the Indian Navy's Dronacharya of Fort Kochi.

The petitioners before Justice C.S. Dias were Katie Michelle Phelps and Christopher Ross Harvey, who were accused of the offences under Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, 1934 along with Rules 22 and 49 of the Drone Rules, 2021 and Section 3(5) [Common intention] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in a crime registered before the Fort Kochi Police Station, Ernakulam.

MSC Elsa 3 Sinkage: Kerala High Court Seeks Report On Formal Investigation Under Merchant Shipping Act In Crew's Plea To Return Home

Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) No. 17115/ 2026

The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 8) called for a report from the Judicial First Class Magistrate - I, Thoppumpady regarding the formal investigation into the casualty caused due to the sinkage of MSC Elsa 3 in Kochi.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas has directed the Registry to get instructions from the JFMC regarding the reason for delay in commencing the investigation and regarding the details of the proceedings from September 30, 2025, i.e., the date of receipt of formal application for investigation submitted as per the Merchant Shipping Act.

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Allows Dismantling Of Prabhamandalam Plates & Sample Collection For Forensic Examination

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) No. 40608 of 2025

The Kerala High Court on Monday (08 June) permitted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames of the Sreekovil in Sabarimala temple to undertake further dismantling and scientific examination of certain temple artefacts, including Prabhamandalam Plates as the investigation enters its final stages.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order in the suo motu proceedings initiated by the Court into the Gold misappropriation.

Sabarimala Ashtabhishekam Case: Kerala High Court Seeks 10-Year Record On Conduct Of Major Temple Rituals, Details Of Materials Supplied

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: SSCR No. 14 of 2026

The Kerala High Court on Monday (08 June) has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to produce ten years of records relating to material procurement practices in Sabarimala Temple for major temple rituals including Ashtambhishekam, Mahanivedhyam, Ganapathy Homam and other Vazhipadu.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, was considering a suo motu petition initiated based on a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner alleging misappropriation of funds by the Administrative Officers of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) while procuring 3 out of the 8 items required for conducting Ashtabhishekam ritual.

MSC Elsa 3 Sinkage: Kerala High Court Permits 3 Out Of 7 Foreign Crew Members To Return To Their Home Countries

Case Title: Ivanov Alexander and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) No. 17115/ 2026

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 9) has allowed three out of the seven foreign crew members of the sunken Liberian-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3 ship , to return to their home countries on certain conditions.

The three persons permitted to leave are not named in the preliminary inquiry report in the formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act nor are they accused in the criminal case registered by the Coastal Police Station, Fort Kochi.

Cashew Corp 'Scam': Kerala High Court Directs Compliance Of Order On Re-Considering Sanction To Prosecute Ex-Officials

Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish

Case No: Con.Case(C) 908/2025

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 10) directed Mohammed Hanish, the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department (Cashew) of the State government to positively comply with its order to re-consider sanction to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials.

Justice A. Badharudeen directed compliance by June 19 (Friday) unless a stay is granted by the Division Bench.

2017 Actress Assault Case: Another Kerala High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Survivor's Plea For Fresh Probe Into 'Memory Card Leak'

Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(Crl.) 871/2026

Kerala High Court's Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath on Wednesday (June 10) recused from hearing a plea filed by the survivor in the 2017 Actress Assault Case seeking a fresh and comprehensive probe by SIT into the alleged illegal access of the memory card that contained visuals of the assault.

This development comes after a coordinate bench of Justice Jobin Sebastian had recused from hearing the matter, pursuant to which the plea was listed before Justice Edappagath.

Advocate Anoop V Nair Appointed As Kerala State Attorney

The newly-elected government in Kerala has appointed Advocate Anoop V. Nair as the State Attorney.

Kerala High Court Stays Trial Proceedings In Shuhaib Murder Case

Case Title: Akash M.V and Others v State of Kerala

Case No: Tr.P(Crl.) 38/ 2026

The Kerala High Court in an interim order on Wednesday (10 June) stayed till June 15 trial court proceedings in Youth Congress activist Shuhaib's murder case.

Justice G. Girish, passed the interim order in a petition by three accused seeking transfer of the ongoing trial from the court of the Additional Sessions Judge-III, Thalassery, alleging circumstances that have created a reasonable apprehension that they may not receive a fair and impartial trial.

Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On BJP Leader's Plea Against Waqf Board Functioning Without Non-Muslims

Case Title: Shone George v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(PIL) No. 117/2026

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 11) sought the State's response in a public interest litigation moved by BJP leader Shone George alleging that the State Waqf Board is functioning in violation of the statutory mandates provided under the United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. has granted time to the State to file an affidavit and posted the matter after 2 weeks for consideration.

Irregularity In Sabarimala Ghee Sales: Kerala High Court Orders Independent Re-Evaluation Of Records To Check If Penal Offences Are Made Out

Case Title: Joint Director v. Secretary and Suo Motu v. State of Kerala

Case Nos: DBAR No. 1 of 2026 & SSCR No. 3 of 2026

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 9) ordered an independent re-valuation of the records relating to alleged irregularities in the Aadiya Sishtam Ghee sales in Sabarimala temple, which had allegedly caused a loss of more than Rs. 17 lakhs to the Travancore Devaswom Board during a short span of a month's time.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order in the light of a report submitted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) recommending departmental action against 41 accused persons and seeking permission to submit a final report before the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) as "Further Action Dropped".

Kerala High Court Seeks Detailed Status Report On Flood-Mitigation Measures In Kochi

Case Title: Treasa K.J v State of Kerala

Case No: RP 165/ 2026 in WP(C) 23911/ 2018

The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the District Collector's Committee to submit comprehensive report on Kochi's monsoon preparedness and progress of ongoing flood-mitigation work, expressing concern that while initial rains have not caused widespread flooding several long-standing flood-prone locations in the city require attention.

Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering the review petition in a petition concerning the upkeep of Perandoor Canal.

Kerala High Court Summons Audit Director To Explain 17-Year Delay In Finalising Audit Of Travancore Devaswom Board Administration

Case Title: The Joint Director v. The Secretary

Case No. DBAR No. 2 of 2011

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 10) directed the Director, Devaswom Audit, Kerala State Audit Department to appear before it and explain the delay of more than 17 years in finalising the audit of the General Administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar also ordered the Director to place a comprehensive statement making clear the particulars of the audit objections pending, its present status, reasons for the delay in resolving the same, steps taken to ensure timely completion as well as the timeframe for completing the audit for 2025-2026.

Kerala High Court Warns Officials of Personal Liability Over Monsoon-Damaged Roads

Case Title - C P Ajithkumar v State of Kerala

Case No - WP(C) 32680/ 2008

The Kerala High Court has issued a warning to civic and highway authorities, cautioning that engineers and officials could face personal liability if accidents occur due to potholes, road craters, and other dangerous road conditions during the monsoon season.

Justice Devan Ramachandran, issued the order while considering the petition dealing with the poor road condition in the State.

Actress Rape Case | Kerala High Court Directs Sessions Judge To Transmit Memory Card To HC Registrar For Safe Custody

Case No: WP(Crl.) 871/2026

Case Title: XXX v. State of Kerala and Ors.

The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 12) has directed the District and Sessions Judge, Ernakulam to transmit the memory card and pendrive containing the visuals of the assault in the 2017 Actress Assault Case in a sealed cover to the Registrar General of the High Court.

The Court further directed the Registrar General to keep the memory card in "safe custody" till further orders.

Justice C.S. Dias passed an interim order while considering the plea filed by the survivor in the 2017 Actress Assault Case seeking a fresh and comprehensive probe by SIT into the alleged illegal access of the memory card that contained visuals of the assault.

Kerala High Court Directs CBI Probe Into Death Of 23 Children In Palakkad

Case Title: Salil Lal Ahmed K and Ors. v State of Kerala

Case No: WP(PIL) 116/ 2025

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 11) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into 23 child deaths in Palakkad District over 13 years.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation, concerning investigations into cases involving the unnatural death of children in Palakkad District.

Kerala High Court Mulls Visiting New Bio-Mining Plant At Brahmapuram

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala

Case No: WP(C) 7844/2023

The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 12) orally remarked that it is likely to visit the new bio-mining plant at Brahmapuram on June 26.

The Special Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P. today orally said:

"Tentatively, we think that 26th of June is an ideal date because it is a non-sitting day for the High Court. It's a working day for everyone. It's a non-sitting day for us. We have tentatively decided 26th. To visit Brahmapuram. We'll put it in the order."