Tribunals Can't Dispose Appeals Through 'Cryptic Orders', Must Record Reasons: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that quasi-judicial tribunals cannot dispose of appeals through cryptic conclusions and are legally bound to issue reasoned, speaking orders that disclose the basis of their decisions.Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan delivered the judgement while setting aside an order of the Tribunal for Local Self Government Institutions that had upheld a Panchayat's refusal to regularise a building and assign it a number.The petitioner had constructed a 560 sq. ft. structure in...

Periodic Replacement, Maintenance Cost Of Prosthetic Limb Must Be Factored Into Motor Accident Compensation: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently enhanced the compensation granted to a person, whose leg was amputated following a motor accident, so as to give him a just compensation for the purpose of maintenance and periodic replacement of his prosthetic leg.Justice M.B. Snehalatha granted Rs. 30 lakhs for periodic replacement and maintenance after noting that artificial leg is not a one-time...

Kerala High Court Closes Suo Motu Case On Unauthorized Helicopter Movement Over Sabarimala Temple After Explanation From Coast Guard

The Kerala High Court recently closed the suo motu case initiated in the light of an unauthorized helicopter movement over Sabarimala temple.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar noted that a crime has been registered at the Pamba Police Station for the offence under Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act [Penalty for causing grave violation of...

Kerala High Court Stays Centre's TV Rating Policy Clause That Says Viewership Arising Out Of Landing Page Won't Be Counted

Kerala High Court on Friday (May 22) stayed the proviso to Clause 5.4.1 of the TV Ratings Policy 2026 issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), which says that viewership arising out of Landing Page shall not be counted in the viewership measurement and that Landing Page can be used only as a marketing tool. The MIB had issued the 2026 Policy vide an order dated March...

CrPC | Accused Has Absolute Right To Use Section 161 Statements To Contradict Witnesses During Cross-Examination: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court, in a recent judgment, clarified that an accused has an absolute right to use the previous statements given by the witnesses to the investigating officer under Section 161 Cr.P.C. for the purpose of shaking the veracity of their evidence and making it untrustworthy.Justice A. Badharudeen held:“it is the absolute right of the accused to use previous statements...

“Nurses Have No Right To Strike”: Kerala High Court Questions Why Nursing Services Aren't Declared 'Essential Service'

The Kerala High Court on Friday (May 22) orally asked the State government to get instructions as to why services rendered by nurses are not declared as an "essential service", adding that if declared as an essential service, nurses would have no right to go on strike. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was hearing a plea by the Kerala State United Nurses Association alleging that certain...

Cashew Corp Scam: Kerala High Court Questions State's Locus To Appeal Against Summoning Of Industries Department Secretary In Contempt Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (May 21) questioned the locus standi of the State in filing an appeal against a Single Judge's order directing personal appearance of Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department (Cashew) of the State, in a contempt case.The contempt plea was initiated against the Secretary for repeatedly denying sanction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation...

S.138 NI Act | Complainant Discharges Initial Burden Through Credible Testimony Unless Discredited In Cross-Examination: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has reiterated that in cheque bouncing prosecutions, the initial burden rests upon the complainant to prove the transaction and once this burden is discharged, the complainant can avail the presumptions in its favour laid down in Section 139 NI Act. As per Section 139, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the holder of a cheque received the cheque of...

Kerala High Court Allows Neighbouring Schools To Challenge Order Permitting Co-Education In Erattupetta Muslim Girls' School

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (May 21) allowed the leave petition preferred by the Managers of neighbouring schools to appeal against the order that directed the Secretary of Erattupetta Municipality to grant approval for introducing co-education scheme in Muslim Girls' Higher Secondary School, Erattupetta— a girls-only school.The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and...

'Infructuous': Kerala High Court Closes Challenge To Film Allegedly Inspired By Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case After Its Release

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (May 21) dismissed the appeal challenging dismissal of a plea to stall release of the movie 'Kaalam Paranja Kadha' that is allegedly inspired by the sensational Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case.When the matter came up today before the Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K., Advocate Sajju V. appearing for the...

Advocate Mohammed Shah Appointed As Additional Advocate General Of Kerala

The newly-elected UDF government has appointed Advocate Mohammed Shah as the Additional Advocate General of Kerala.Shah was an elected Member of the Kerala Bar Council from 2018 to 2026.On Monday, the government had announced its decision to appoint Senior Advocate Jaju Babu as the Advocate General and Advocate T. Asaf Ali as the Director General of...

POSH Act | ICC Can Probe Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Institution's Director If He Is Not In Control Of Affairs: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has said that an institution's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) can inquire into sexual harassment complaints against the institution's Director if he does not have control over the affairs and management of the institution and is an “employee” appointed by the institution's executive committee. The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice...