Compliance With S.50 NDPS Act Mandatory Even If Accused Himself Produces Contraband From Pocket During Body Search: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that the compliance with Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is mandatory even when the accused himself produces contraband from his pocket, during body search.For context, Section 50 of the NDPS Act deals with Conditions under which search of persons shall be conducted.According to the Section, when a duly...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Extend Transit Anticipatory Bail Granted To Viral Kumb Mela Star's Husband In POCSO Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 2) dismissed an application filed by Mohammed Farmaan, the husband of viral Kumb Mela star, seeking an extension of time in the 1-month transit anticipatory bail granted to him in a POCSO case registered at Madhya Pradesh.A detailed order is awaited.The application was filed following the rejection of Farmaan's bail plea by the jurisdictional POCSO...

Special Court Under PMLA Is Legally Competent To Try Scheduled Offence After Committal: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that a Special Court constituted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is legally competent to try a scheduled offence once the case is committed to it under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act, even if that court is not independently notified to try the particular offence. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 354]Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment in...

Kerala High Court Strikes Down 20-Page Cap On Free RTI Information For Below Poverty Line Applicants As Ultra Vires RTI Act

The Kerala High Court has struck down proviso to Rule 4(4) of the Kerala Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2006, which restrict free supply of information under RTI Act to persons below the poverty line (BPL) to twenty pages. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 355]Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. found that the proviso to the afore Rule, requiring payment for information above 20 pages, traverse beyond the scope of the parent Act, i.e., the Right to Information Act, 2005 since no such cap is...

Cashew Corp Scam: Kerala High Court Grants State Time To Produce Sanction Order To Prosecute Corrupt Ex-Officials

The Kerala High Court was today (July 2) informed by the Additional Director General of Prosecution representing the State that sanction order has been passed in accordance with the Court's direction to prosecute the alleged corrupt ex-officers of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).Justice A. Badharudeen today recorded the submission of the ADGP that time is required to ensure the accuracy of the afore order."ADGP submitted that in the case government has ordered sanction in...

Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection To Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) granted interim protection to an advocate accused of threatening and intimidating an Intelligence Officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).Justice C.S. Dias passed the order in the petition seeking to quash the FIR."The Investigating Officer...is directed not to take any coercive proceedings as against the petitioner till 03.07.2026," the Court ordered.The case will be taken up again tomorrow (July 3).According to the plea, a crime was registered...

PIL Filed In Kerala High Court Against Relaxation Of Star-Rating Norms For Bar Licence Renewals

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging a State Government decision permitting the renewal of FL-3 and FL-11 liquor licences for hotels that have applied for, but have not yet obtained, mandatory star classification from the Ministry of Tourism.A Government communication dated February 13, 2026, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Taxes), which allegedly directed the Excise Commissioner to renew bar licences for the 2026-27 financial year...

Lawyer Accused Of Threatening NCB Officer Moves Kerala High Court For Quashing FIR

An advocate has moved a plea before the Kerala High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered based on a complaint by Narcotics Control Bureau's Intelligence Officer alleging that the former had criminally intimidated the officer during remand proceedings.According to the plea, a crime was registered by the Ernakulam Town Police Station alleging commission of offences under Sections...

'Taking Court's Directions For A Ride': Kerala High Court Warns Of Summoning Law, Cabinet Secretaries Over Delay In Anti-Ragging Bill

The Kerala High Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the State Government's continued delay in finalising and placing the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025 before the Cabinet, observing that the matter has remained pending for more than a year despite repeated judicial directions.The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran...

Kerala High Court Issues Notice Before Admission On Plea Alleging VC Illegally Replaced Kerala University Standing Counsel

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) issued notice before admission in a plea challenging the appointment of Advocate Girija Gopal as standing counsel for the University of Kerala, by the Vice-Chancellor.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, however, dispensed with notice to Advocate Girija as well as Advocate Thomas Abraham, who was replaced by Girija.The petition was preferred by Dr. Manoj...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Interfere With Conferment Of Padma Bhushan To Vellappally Natesan

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) refused to interfere with the conferment of Padma Bhushan award to SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan. A detailed judgment is awaited.Natesan was conferred with the award by the President just last week for his contributions to social service in Kerala.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering...

Nedumangad Child Death: Kerala Govt Terminates Child Protection Officer Who 'Ignored' Grandmother's Complaint About Abuse

The Kerala government on Wednesday (July 1) informed the High Court regarding the termination of the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), who purportedly failed to take any steps to protect the 1.5 year-old-infant, who died in Negumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on May 29, 2026 on account of torture by his mother's partner, Ashkar.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice...