Can't Detain Foreign Seafarers Indefinitely Pending Maritime Accident Probe: Kerala High Court Permits Repatriation Of MV Wan Hai 503 Crew

The Kerala High Court in a recent decision allowed two foreign crew members of MV Wan Hai 503, which was involved in a maritime accident last year near to Azheekal, to leave India for their home countries. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 332]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas allowed the writ petition filed by Taiwanese national Wei, Chun-Ju and Chinese national Tao Peng, who respectively the Master and...

Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On Action Against Illegal Display Of Flags, Emblems On Vehicles

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 16) sought information regarding the steps taken by the State government in response to a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs directing all State governments to act against unauthorised use of State emblems. The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. noted that the Ministry had issued a letter in June 2025 to all States for strict implementation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and...

Kerala High Court Expresses Satisfaction With Draft DPR For Restoration Of Heritage Kerala Varma College Main Block

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 15) expressed satisfaction with the draft detailed project report (DPR) submitted by INTACH, Thrissur for the repair of the main block of Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur as per its direction.The standing counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board submitted before the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar that the final DPR can be submitted within 2 months. Recording the submission, the Court directed the Board and...

Homeopathic Doctor Must Cancel Medical Registration Before Enrolling As Advocate: Kerala High Court Upholds Single Judge Decision

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (17 June) upheld a Single Judge's decision that held that a registered homeopathic medical practitioner cannot seek enrolment as an advocate while continuing to remain on the register of practising medical professionals.The Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. delivered the judgment while dismissing the appeal...

Kerala High Court Asks MSC Elsa 3 Foreign Crew Accused In Crime To Approach Magistrate For Relief In Plea To Return Home

The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 15) directed the four foreign crew members of capsized MSC Elsa 3 ship booked in criminal case to approach the Magistrate court having cognizance for appropriate reliefs.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was told by the government pleader that the final report in the crime has been resubmitted after curing defects and the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - I, Kochi had taken cognizance of the case as well. Taking note of the submission, the Court...

Can Family Court Decide Marital Status After Alleged Husband's Death? Kerala High Court Answers

The Kerala High Court has held that Family Courts do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes concerning the validity of a marriage or matrimonial status when one of the alleged spouses had died before the proceedings were instituted. [Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 328]It further held that such disputes are ordinary civil disputes to be decided by civil courts.A Division Bench...

Kerala High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Negumangad Toddler's Death Allegedly Due To Stepfather's Torture, Seeks Probe Report

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 17) directed the State to inform it about the steps taken in the investigation into the Negumangad Child Murder case.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. while considering a suo motu public interest litigation directed:"The Government Pleader is directed to file a report in the form of an affidavit indicating the steps taken so far with regard to the tragic death of one and a half year old child suffering weeks...

Kerala High Court Upholds Madrassa Teacher's POCSO Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Minor Boy

The Kerala High Court recently upheld the conviction and sentence imposed on a madrassa teacher, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor student.[2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 331]Justice A. Badharudeen was considering an appeal preferred assailing the conviction for the offences under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 4(2) r/w. 3(d), 6(1) r/w. 5(f), 5(m), 8 r/w. 7, 10 r/w. 9(o) and 9 (m) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and under Section 75 of the...

Nava Kerala Sadas Assault: State Moves Kerala High Court To Cancel Pre-Arrest Bail Granted To Ex-CM's Security Team Members

The Kerala government has moved a plea before the High Court seeking to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.Last week, the Sessions Judge, Alappuzha had allowed the bail pleas of the accused, who were booked by the Alappuzha South Police for the offences under Sections 294(b), 324 and 308 r/w S.34 of Indian Penal...

Kerala High Court Asks Centre, DGS About Timeline For Independent Study On Long-Term Environmental Impact Of MSC Elsa 3 Wreck

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 16) sought the response of the Union of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Director General of Shipping (DGS) as to the timeframe and manner of conducting an independent, long-term impact study on the wreckage caused due to the capsizing of Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V....

Does A Recruitment Freeze Apply To Compassionate Appointments? Kerala High Court Answers

The Kerala High Court in a recent judgment held that a ban on regular appointments would not automatically act as a bar for compassionate appointments. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 330]Justice Viju Abraham referred to two decisions rendered by the Bombay High Court that took a similar view and reasoned that the compassionate employment scheme is an exemption to help a family to survive sudden...

Do Section 50 NDPS Act Safeguards Apply To Search Of Bags Carried By Accused? Kerala High Court Answers

The Kerala High Court has reaffirmed that the procedural safeguards under Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act applies only to the personal search of an individual and not to the search of plastic bags carried by the person. [Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 327]Justice A. Badharudeen, delivered the judgment in an appeal challenging the conviction and sentence...