'Shocked': Kerala High Court Criticizes Cochin Devaswom Board For Spending ₹28 Lakh Funds On Commissioner's Comforts

The Kerala High Court recently expressed shock over the unauthorised spending of around Rs. 28 lakhs of public money by the Cochin Devaswom Board for the comforts of its Devaswom Commissioner, who bought a new car and other luxuries in violation of government norms and guidelines. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 461].Criticising the Board, the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice...

Kerala High Court Upholds Infant Vaccination Rule For ₹6,000 Maternity Benefit Under PMMVY Scheme

The Kerala High Court recently upheld the infant vaccination as a condition for lactating mothers to get monetary benefit of Rs. 6000 for second girl child under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Scheme. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 460]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas referred to Rule 7(2)(ii) of the PMVVY Rules and observed:“it is evident that the benefit of Rs.6,000/- shall be granted to a girl child, provided the child has received all due vaccinations till the child attained the age of...

Civil Court Lacks Jurisdiction To Try Commercial Dispute Of Specified Value After Designation Of Commercial Courts: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that once notification is issued by the State constituting sub Courts as Commercial Courts for recovery of a specified amount, the Civil Courts cannot proceed to adjudicate the matter on merits.[2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 459]Justice Easwaran S was delivering the judgment in a Regular Second Appeal filed by BRD Finance Ltd. against judgments of the Munsiff Court, Chavakkad and the Sub Court, Chavakkad.The issue before the High Court was whether, after the coming into force...

Kerala High Court Initiates Contempt Against Lawyer For Unauthorisedly Uploading Court Proceedings On YouTube, Bars His Virtual Appearance

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (August 20) issued notice to a lawyer in suo motu criminal contempt proceedings for unauthorisedly recording and uploading court proceedings on his YouTube account.The Court also made it clear that the lawyer would not be permitted to virtually participate in court proceedings in the State, until further orders.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. today took notice of a report by the Registry stating that the...

Kerala High Court Issues Notice Before Admission On Plea Alleging 3 Cochin University Senate Nominees Lack Required Qualifications

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (August 20) issued notice before admission on a plea challenging the nomination of 3 persons into the Senate of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued notice to Advocate Kabeer K.K., Anson P. Antony and Abbad Lufti A., whose nomination has been challenged by two former Senate members.The challenge is on the ground that these nominees did not possess the requisite qualifications mandated by the Cochin University...

No Vigilance Probe Against DGP S. Sreejith Warranted As Of Now: Kerala High Court Told

The Additional Chief Secretary Home & Vigilance Department, Minhaj Alam, IAS, informed the Kerala High Court on Thursday (20 August) that no Vigilance Investigation is warranted against DGP S. Sreejith, IPS as of now. The submissions were made before Justice A. Badharudeen who had directed for the personal appearance of the Additional Chief Secretary over the alleged non-compliance with its earlier directions in a complaint seeking a Vigilance enquiry against S. Sreejith.The Bench was...

Brethren Assembly Hall Is A 'Church' Under Kerala Liquor Rules; Bar Distance Restrictions Apply: High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an Assembly hall of the Brethren Christian denomination qualifies as a “church” under Rule 13(3) of the Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, thereby attracting the statutory distance restriction on grant of bar licences. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 458]A Division Bench of Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John dismissed an appeal filed by Hotel Palace Inn,...

Failure To Follow Binding Precedents Gives Rise To Substantial Question Of Law In ESI Act Appeals: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that a failure to follow binding precedents by the Employees' Insurance courts would give rise to a substantial question of law in ESI appeals. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 455]The Bench of Justice S. Manu held:“the EI Court has not analysed the dispute in tune with the law laid down in the judgment referred above and hence the impugned judgment cannot be...

Christian Women Can File For Divorce At Their Place Of Residence: Kerala High Court

In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has held that as per Section 3 of the Divorce Act, Christian women can file for divorce in their places of residence. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 456]The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. was considering an appeal filed by a wife after the Single Bench rejected her plea seeking a declaration that Section 3(3)...

Kerala High Court Directs Action Against 1157 Advocates Practicing Without Certificates Of Practice

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 19) directed action against around 1,157 advocates, who are practicing in the State without a valid Certificate of Practice (CoP) and without clearing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. today passed an interim order directing immediate publication of the list of these...

Savarkar Quiz Row: Kerala High Court Stays Suspension Of Teacher, Permits Disciplinary Proceedings To Continue

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 18) stayed the suspension of the teacher, who included V.D. Savarkar's name in a quiz on freedom fighters.The Court, however, made it clear that the disciplinary proceedings against him would continue.Justice Viju Abraham observed:"the controversy solely lies in the correctness of the content of the question and answer, which is to be decided based...

Kerala High Court Directs Vigilance Bureau To Examine Corruption Allegations In Paddy Procurement Scheme

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (18 August) has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to consider a complaint alleging corruption and irregularities in the State's Decentralised Paddy Procurement Scheme (DCP) and take action in accordance with law if it finds substance in the allegations.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V. M....