FIR For Scheduled Offence Not Necessary For ED Investigation : Kerala High Court In CMRL Case

The Kerala High Court has held that the absence of an FIR for a scheduled offence does not bar the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from initiating investigation proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).Justice T.R. Ravi dismissed a writ petition filed by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and its officials challenging the ED proceedings initiated in connection with the alleged CMRL-Exalogic transactions.The petitioners had contended that the ED could not have registered...

Independent, Fearless Judiciary Inevitable For 'Healthy Democracy': Kerala High Court Justice C Pratheep Kumar In His Farewell Address

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (26 May) held a farewell reference in honour of Justice C. Pratheep Kumar, who retires on May 28 after nearly three decades of judicial service, including over two and a half years as a Judge of the Kerala High Court.The reference was attended by members of the Bench, Bar, and legal fraternity. In his farewell address, Justice C. Pratheep Kumar said that...

Person Charged With 'Hurt To Deter Public Servant' Can Be Convicted For Minor Offence Of Simple Hurt, Not 'Hurt By Dangerous Weapons': Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court recently held that a person, who is charged with hurt to defer public servant under Section 332 IPC, cannot be convicted under Section 324 IPC for causing hurt by dangerous means/weapons unless a specific charge is made out as required under Section 222 CrPC.Justice Jobin Sebastian added that conviction under Section 323 IPC for simple hurt would sustain if Section 332...

Temple Land Acquisition Dispute Over NH Widening To Be Decided Under National Highways Act, Not LARR Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 does not completely govern land acquisitions undertaken under the National Highways Act merely because of the Central Government notification issued under Section 105 of the 2013 Act.Justice Easwaran S., delivered the judgment. The petitioners...

Shuhaib Murder Case: Kerala High Court Stays Sessions Court Order Cancelling Bail To All 17 Accused

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (May 26) stayed the order passed by the Additional Sessions Court III, Thalassery cancelling the bail of all the seventeen persons accused of the murder of Youth Congress activist Shuhaib and directed for the issuance of release order. Shuhaib was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers in Mattanur in Kannur district on February 12, 2018. As per the...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Expresses Disinclination To Cancel Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru's Bail

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (26 May) orally remarked that it is not inclined to cancel the bail granted to Thanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru, who is arrayed as an accused in the Sabarimala Gold Theft case. Justice A. Badharudeen made the oral observation while considering the State's plea seeking to cancel the bail granted to Kandararu Rajeevaru. "I am not also inclined to cancel the bail."...

Kerala High Court Rejects Expelled Palakkad Councillor's Appeal Seeking Anticipatory Bail In Sexual Assault Case

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (26 May) dismissed a criminal appeal filed by Prasobh M, former Congress councillor of the Palakkad Municipality, challenging denial of Anticipatory Bail by a Special SC/ST Court in a sexual assault case. Justice A Badharudeen dismissed the appeal. The allegations against Prasobh is that he has sexually exploited a Dalit woman by promising her employment...

Kerala High Court Dismisses CMRL's Plea To Quash ED Case Alleging Misappropriation Of Public Money

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (May 26) dismissed the petition filed by the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) seeking to quash the proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate in view of the bribery and money laundering allegation against the company.The petition was filed by CMRL and its officials seeking to quash the proceedings initiated by the ED arising out of...

Advocate KC Vincent Appointed As Additional Advocate General Of Kerala

The newly-elected UDF government has appointed Advocate K.C. Vincent as the Additional Advocate General of Kerala.He is to assume charge today at 10:30 a.m.Advocate Mohammed Shah is also appointed an Additional AG. Last week, Senior Advocate Jaju Babu assumed office of the Advocate General and Advocate T. Asaf Ali took charge of the Director General of...

No Unrestricted 'Right To Information' Merely Because Legislature May Seek It; DPDP Act Strengthens Privacy Framework: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that there is no unrestricted right under the proviso to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act to seek every information that would have been supplied to the legislature.According to Section 8(1)(j), there is no obligation to disclose information relating to personal information that has no relation to public activity or interest or would invade...

'Officers Blaming Each Other For Chottanikkara Temple's Plight': Kerala High Court Warns Of Action If Hygiene Not Improved

The Kerala High Court on Monday (May 25) warned that it would take action against officers concerned if the unhygienic conditions at Chottanikkara Temple is not rectified.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar today interacted with the Nodal Officer, the Assistant Engineer, the Assistant Commissioner, and the Devaswom Manager of Chottanikkara. After...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round Up: May 18 - May 24, 2026

Nominal Index [Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 270 - 285]All India LPG Distributors Federation (Kerala Circle) and Ors. v Union of India and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 270Rajan Babu @ Murari Thantri v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 271Rahiman v. State of Kerala, 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 272T.M. Manju v Bar Council of Kerala and Ors., 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 273Kannan v. M/s. Adisiva Enterprises and...