Patients Cannot Dictate Diagnostic Tests, Must Follow Doctor's Medical Advice: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that patients cannot insist on specific diagnostic tests such as CT or MRI scans, observing that the decision to prescribe such investigations lies within the medical judgment of treating doctors.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas delivered the judgment while disposing of a writ petition filed by a retired Indian Air Force veteran, who sought a direction to the Health Department and doctors at General Hospital, Ernakulam, to conduct a proper medical examination and order...

Nithin Raj Suicide Case: Kerala High Court Suspects 'Large Conspiracy' In Police Handling Of Accused's Arrest

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 22) voiced serious concerns over the police investigation into the suicide of dental student Nithin Raj, orally observing that there appeared to be a “large conspiracy” involving senior police officials in the manner in which the arrest of the prime accused was handled.Justice A. Badharudeen made the remarks while considering an interlocutory application filed by the victim's mother seeking relaxation of the Supreme Court's ruling in Mihir Rajesh Shah v....

Govt Free To Reconstitute Kerala Waqf Board, Can Appoint Non-Muslim Members In Interim: High Court In PILs Over Board's Composition

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 22) orally observed that there is no order restraining the State Government from reconstituting the Kerala State Waqf Board. The Court further indicated that in the interim, the Government can appoint the statutorily mandated non-Muslim members so that the Board can continue to function.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. made the oral observation while considering four public interest litigations challenging...

Can Banks Refuse Education Loan To Student Due To Parent's Low Credit Score? Kerala High Court Answers

The Kerala High Court has ruled that banks can refuse education loan to students if their parent, who signs the loan as a co-borrower, has a poor credit score. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 387]Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim dismissed a batch of petitions filed by students challenging the banks' refusal to grant them educational loan.The petitioners argued that denial of loan to them on the basis of...

'We Are Bound To Treat Them Fairly': Kerala High Court Questions Continued Detention Of MSC Elsa 3 Foreign Crew Members

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (July 21) orally questioned the Centre over the continued detention of the foreign crew members of the Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3 ship, which capsized in May last year, observing that India is bound by international obligations to ensure the fair treatment of seafarers.Subsequent to the accident, a slew of litigation has ensued, including public interest litigations and admiralty suits before the High Court as well as criminal cases and statutory investigation...

Kerala High Court Seeks Statewide Data On Children's Courts, Pending POCSO Cases

The Kerala High Court has recently (15 July) directed the State Government and the Registry of the District Judiciary to furnish comprehensive data on the functioning of Children's Courts and the pendency of cases involving offences against children across the State.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the direction in a public interest litigation filed by the District Court Bar Association, Thodupuzha–Muttom, and its Secretary. The PIL...

Touching Child's Chest With Sexual Intent Attracts POCSO Act, 'Chest' And 'Breast' Distinction Immaterial: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an accused grabbing a child's chest with sexual intent would satisfy the requirement of sexual assault prescribed under Section 7 POCSO Act, and that the anatomical different between chest and breast is immaterial. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 386]For context, Section 7 states that whoever, with sexual intent, touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child...

Kerala High Court Passes Fresh Order Granting Police Protection To Viral Kumbh Mela Star

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (July 21) passed a fresh order granting police protection to viral Kumbh Mela star.The order was passed in a plea moved by the star alleging that hate campaigns were propagated against her on mainstream media and online platforms following her marriage to her husband Mohammed Farmaan, a Muslim man.Today, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was informed by the counsel...

Kerala High Court Restrains Coercive Action Against Ex-DGP Sreelekha Booked For Disclosing POCSO Victims' Names

The Kerala High Court on Monday (July 13) passed an interim order directing the investigating officer to desist from taking any coercive action against former Director General of Police (DGP) and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor Sreelekha R. IPS who is booked for allegedly disclosing the the names of victims in three rape cases through her YouTube channel and blog.Justice Jobin...

Hit-And-Run Cases Often Put On Back Burner Unless They Draw Media Attention: Kerala High Court Directs Formation Of Special Squads

The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the State Police Chief to constitute special squads in every district to trace offending vehicles and offenders involved in hit-and-run accidents, observing that such cases are often pushed to the back burner unless they attract media attention. The Court also urged the Union Government to overhaul the compensation framework for hit-and-run victims...

Typewritten Cheque Though Uncommon Is Not Illegal, Its Use Alone Can't Defeat NI Act Claim: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held the mere fact that a cheque is typewritten is not a legally sustainable ground to doubt its genuineness or refuse to invoke the statutory presumptions under the Negotiable Instruments Act. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 384]Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment in a criminal appeal challenging the acquittal of the accused under Section 138 of the...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Directs SIT To Complete Probe After Receipt Of Scientific Report From National Metallurgical Lab

The Kerala High Court on Monday (July 20) noted that the final scientific report from the CSIR National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand has been received by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala Gold Theft case.The case refers to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the gold-cladded Dwarapalaka idols and door frames of the Sabarimala temple.The...