Kerala High Court Orders SBI To Refund ₹3.73L To Cybercrime Victim, Says Bank Did Not Prove 'Negligence' By Her

The Kerala High Court, in a recent decision, ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to refund an amount of ₹3.73 lakhs to a customer, who got scammed and reported about the cybercrime within 24 hours. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 591]Justice Harisankar V. Menon observed that the bank did not prove that she was privy to the fraudulent transaction and that she is entitled to be found to have 'zero liability' when she reported the fraud to the bank as well as the police promptly.The petitioner was an...

Captive Elephant Rules | Govt Or HC Can't Extend Timeline Set By Supreme Court For Temples To Register : Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has clarified that neither the High Court nor the State government can extend the timeline set by the Apex Court for temples and devaswoms to register themselves in the District Committee constituted under the Kerala Captive Elephant (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 590]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the decision referring to the directions laid by the Supreme Court in of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and Ors. v. Union of India...

Kerala High Court Directs State to Clear ₹9.73 Crore in Pending Victim Compensation Claims Within Five Weeks

The Kerala High Court has directed the State Government to release ₹9,73,85,000 towards victim compensation claims involving 225 cases pending before the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department within five weeks.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the directions in suo motu proceedings concerning the functioning of mediation centres in Kerala.The Court took on record a status report submitted by the Member Secretary of the Kerala State...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Stay Order Reconstituting State Waqf Board

The Kerala High Court on Saturday (October 17) refused to stay the State Government's order dated October 16 reconstituting the State Waqf Board and appointing 9 new members.Justice S. Manu, however, made it clear that the reconstitution of the Board as per Exhibit P9 would be subject to the outcome of the two writ petitions challenging the order."I am of the view that no case is made out to...

Kerala High Court Orders Re-Trial In Convict's Appeal After Finding Trial Court Acquitted Him Of Attempt To Rape Despite Victim's Sterling Testimony

The Kerala High Court recently ordered re-trial while considering a convict's appeal after finding that the trial court acquitted him of 'attempt to rape' charges despite the victim giving a sterling testimony. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 588]Justice A. Badharudeen further clarified that though an appellate court cannot suo motu enhance the conviction or punishment awarded to an accused while...

Police Can Contact Adult Woman Reported To Be Missing, But Can't Compel Her To Return Home : Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently remarked that the police contacting an adult woman, who was reported missing, in order to complete investigation would not amount to harassment. It, however, added that the police cannot compel her to return home if she does not wish to do so. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 589]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the observation while hearing a plea filed by a woman...

Kerala High Court Disposes Plea Seeking Vigilance Probe into Appointment of Bodybuilders Shinu Chova and Chitharesh Natesan as Police Inspectors

The Kerala High Court on Friday (16 October) disposed of a petition seeking a vigilance inquiry into the appointment of bodybuilders Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chovva as Armed Police Inspectors in the Kerala Police, observing that the legality of the government order denying prior approval for an inquiry under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be challenged...

Failure To Supply Detention Order In Language Known To Detenu Violates Article 22(5): Kerala High Court Quashes Detention Of Karnataka Man

The Kerala High Court recently clarified that the detaining authority is bound to supply the detention order and material documents to a detenue in a language known to him and omission to do so violates fundamental rights under Article 22(5) of the Constitution. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 587]The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. set aside the...

Kerala High Court Orders Police Protection To Inter-Faith Couple; Bars Parents From Taking Mobile, Interfering In Relation Or Job Prospects

The Kerala High Court recently came to the aid of an adult woman in an inter-faith relationship, who was alleged detained by her parents by taking away her mobile phone and interfering in her relation. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 585]The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a habeas corpus plea filed by the man whom she was in a relationship...

Alleged Failure To Assess Decree-Holder's Mental Capacity Can't Be Reopened Under S. 47 CPC After Decree Attains Finality: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that an alleged failure to inquire into a decree-holders's mental capacity cannot be reopened under Section 47 CPC after the decree has attained finality. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 573]Justice C.S. Dias observed that the objection could not be reopened at the execution stage after the issue had been raised in the earlier rounds of litigation and the decree had...

New Safety Norms For Permanent Fireworks Shops Don't Apply To Temporary Festival Shops: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the amended requirements under Rules 83 and 86 of the Explosives Rules, 2008, meant for permanent fireworks shops, cannot be insisted upon while considering applications for temporary fireworks shops. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 584]Justice G. Girish was considering a plea seeking directions to the authorities to consider an application for a temporary fireworks...

Kerala High Court Directs State To Appoint Special Public Prosecutors Exclusively For POCSO Cases Within Six Weeks

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (14 October) directed the State Government to appoint Special Public Prosecutors exclusively for cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) within six weeks. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 583]A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. delivered the judgment while disposing of a public interest litigation...