Lower Conversion Factor Applicable For Timber Imports Before 11.5.2012: Kerala High Court Allows Refund Of Additional Customs Duty

The Kerala High Court has held that a lower conversion factor is applicable for timber imports made before 11.05.2012. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. examined the issue regarding the refund of additional customs duty paid for the import of timber from Myanmar and other foreign countries. The centre of controversy was the conversion factor to be applied for converting the Hoppus Ton,...

Kerala Building Tax Act | Increased Plinth Area Due To Additional Construction Justifies Building Tax Reassessment: High Court

The Kerala High Court held that once the plinth area of a building increases due to additional construction, a fresh building tax assessment must be carried out under the Kerala Building Tax Act. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A., after examining the documents produced by the assessee, stated that the assessee had carried out additional constructions after the initial construction, which...

No 'Perversity': Kerala High Court Upholds Arbitral Award Dissolving 'Zephyr' Coaching Institute

The Kerala High Court on 28th November, 2025 dismissed an appeal sought to challenge an arbitral award that dissolved a coaching partnership firm, ruling that courts can neither re-examine expert valuations nor can the parties introduce fresh evidence at the appellate stage under section 34 and 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. A Division Bench of Chief Justice...

Kerala High Court Slams Pollution Boards For Not Collecting Environment Compensation; Says Taxpayers Bear Burden Instead Of Offenders

The Kerala High Court recently (November 29) pulled up the Central and State Pollution Control Boards for the delay in the implementation of environmental compensation (EC) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016It has also directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), to issue a time limit within which the mechanism for collection of EC will be put in place.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Syam Kumar V M issued the directive while hearing a...

After Catholic Congress, Union Govt & CBFC Move Kerala High Court In Appeal Challenging 'Haal' Movie

The Union Government on Thursday (December 4) moved an appeal before the Kerala High Court challenging the Single Bench's decision quashing the A-certification and cuts to the movie 'Haal' starring Shane Nigam. The appellants include the Union Government, along with the Regional Officer, the Chairman and Revising Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).This is the second appeal preferred against the judgment, the earlier being filed by the Catholic Congress.Among...

Kerala High Court Directs Devaswom Board Not To Engage Security In 'Bouncer' Attire Inside Temple Precincts

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (03 November) directed the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) to refrain from engaging personnel wearing inappropriate attire, including T-shirts bearing the word “bouncer,” for security during temple festivals or within the temple precincts.The division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar, delivered the judgment while disposing of a petition challenging the engagement of security personnel, wearing T-shirt with the word “bouncer”,...

Kerala High Court Impleads Distributor & Certifier After Finding Continued Sale Of Chemical Kumkum In Sabarimala Despite Earlier Ban

In a move to ascertain whether the KumKum being distributed in Erumeli Panchayat is naturally sourced or chemical KumKum, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 3) suo motu impleaded the enterprise distributing the KumKum and the agency certifying it to be naturally sourced.The Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar was seized with a suo motu petition initiated to oversee whether there are adequate facilities in the edathavalams (resting places) for the...

Suraj Lama Missing Case: Kerala High Court Slams Lapses In Handling Deported Indian, Asks “What Protocol We Have In Civilised Country?”

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (December 04) expressed concern over the administrative handling of Suraj Lama, an Indian citizen who was reportedly deported from Kuwait and subsequently went missing after arriving in Kochi.The Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha were hearing the habeas corpus plea filed by the missing man's son.It is reported that Lama was deported from Kuwait due to some vitiating factor. After his arrival in Kochi, he was...

SVLDRS Benefits Cannot Be Denied If Payment Falls Within SC's COVID-19 Extended Limitation Period: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that payments made under Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme (SVLDRS) are valid if they fall within the extended limitation period granted by the Supreme Court during the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. found that SVLDRS proceedings are quasi-judicial in nature, and hence covered under Supreme Court's suo...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Quashes Magistrate Order Denying FIR Copy To ED; Says Fresh Application Must Show Proceeds Of Crime

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 03) set aside the Ranni Magistrate court's order denying the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) access to the First Information Report and First Information Statement before the Crime Branch in the Sabarimala gold theft case.The ED had approached the High Court challenging the order that dismissed its application for issuance of certified copies of the FIR and FIS. The Magistrate had dismissed ED's plea observing that the High Court is monitoring...

Ayurvedic Treatment Centre Classified As 'Hospital', Not 'Hotel', Luxury Tax Cannot Be Imposed: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an Ayurvedic Treatment centre is to be classified as a 'hospital' and not 'hotel', and therefore, luxury tax cannot be imposed. Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon stated that the Ayurvedic Treatment Centre admits patients undergoing prescribed Ayurvedic treatment for a minimum duration, without offering hotel amenities,...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail To Former Devaswom Board Officials

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (December 4) denied pre-arrest bail to S. Sreekumar, the former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who is arraigned as the 6th accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case.The Court also rejected the anticipatory bail plea of TDB's former Secretary, S. Jayasree, who stands arrayed as the 4th accused.They are accused of the offences under Section 120B [Conspiracy], 403 [Dishonest misappropriation of property], 406 [Criminal breach...