Vandiperiyar Rape-Murder: Kerala High Court Asks Accused To Appear Before POCSO Court Upon State's Appeal Against Acquittal

The Kerala High Court asked the sole accused, Arjun in the infamous Vandiperiyar rape and murder case to appear before the Special Court for the Trial of Offences Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in Kattappana.Notably, he was acquitted by the POCSO court last year in the rape and murder of a 5 and a half year old girl at Vandiperiyar town in Idukki district in 2021....

Kerala High Court Directs State To Constitute Teams For Carrying Out Census Of Captive Elephants, Identifying Their Custodians

The Kerala High Court today directed the State Government to constitute a team for conducting a census of captive Elephants in the State. The Court stated that the census shall be carried district wise, and the team shall consist of District Collector and Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry) from each district. The Court further directed the Chief Wildlife Warden to collect the data...

Kerala HC Extends Nodal Officer's Jurisdiction To Receive Complaints Of Victims From Film Industry Who Were Not Before Hema Committee

The Kerala High Court has extended the jurisdiction of the nodal officer to accept the grievances of harassment/abuse from persons in the film industry who were not before the Justice Hema Committee. The Court further ordered that the nodal officer on receipt of such complaints of harassment/abuse can forward it to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for further investigation.Previously, the...

'Goonda' Under Kerala Anti-Social Activities Act Includes Drug Offender, Need Not Show 'Activities Harmful To Public Order': High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that if a person satisfies the definition of drug offender, then he would automatically come within the definition of goonda under Section 2 (j) of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA).The petitioner's son is detained under the KAAPA Act on the finding that he is a 'drug offender' and would come under the ambit of definition of...

Kerala High Court Orally Warns Of Action Against People Making 'Personal Attack' On Judge For Ordering Removal Of Unauthorised Flex Boards

While hearing a 2018 plea concerning installation of unauthorized boards/banners in public places, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday (December 18) orally warned of action against people who believe they can attack a Judge for passing orders in the matter.During the hearing, Justice Devan Ramachandran orally observed that these people will be dealt with. The court orally said:“Those people...

Kerala High Court Declares Recent Delimitation Exercise Invalid For Eight Municipalities, One Panchayat

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (18th December) declared the delimitation exercise carried out in 2024 in Padne Grama Panchayat, Panoor Municipality, Mukkom Municipality, Koduvally Municipality, Payyoli Municipality, Sreekandapuram Municipality, Feroke Municipality, Pattambi Municipality and Mattannur Municipality as invalid. Justice Mohammed Nias C. P. observed that a delimitation...

Criminal Proceedings Involving Serious Offences Under POCSO Act Can't Be Quashed On Settlement Between Parties: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that remote chance of conviction due to compromise between the accused and the complainant should not serve as a ground to terminate investigation abruptly and to quash the FIR and further proceedings in serious offences involving POSCO Act.In the present case, the petitioner was accused of subjecting a 17-year-old girl to sexual intercourse by giving promise...

Kerala High Court Quashes Case Against Public Servant For Commenting On CM's Plea To Govt Officers To Donate 1-Month Salary For Flood Relief

The Kerala High Court quashed proceedings against a public servant for allegedly making "sarcastic comments" on a WhatsApp group concerning the Chief Minister's appeal to government officers to donate their one-month salary to a relief fund after the 2018 floods.The court found that the alleged comments were not intended to cause any injury to the benificiaries of the flood relief scheme as...

Kerala High Court Asks Centre If It Can 'Free Up' State Of ₹180 Crore Arrears To Enable Utilisation Of SDRF Funds For Wayanad Rehabilitation

The Kerala High Court today asked the Central government to consider relaxing SDRF/ NDRF norms so that State government is 'freed up' of ₹180 crore outstanding debt and can put the same for use in Wayanad rehabilitation works.The observation was made by division bench of Justice A.K.Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Easwaran S, considering the pressing need for assistance in...

Kerala High Court Dismisses Daughter's Appeal Against Donation Of CPI(M) Veteran MM Lawrence's Body To Medical College

The Kerala High Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Asha Lawrence objecting her father and CPI(M) Veteran M. M. Lawrence's body to Ernakulam Medical College. The order was pronounced on Wednesday (18th December) by the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu. A detailed order is awaited.The appeal was filed by Lawrence's daughter Asha Lawrence. She had...

Kerala High Court Deletes ECI As Party In Plea Challenging Minister Suresh Gopi's Election To Lok Sabha

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (December 17) recalled its earlier order allowing impleadment of Election Commission of India in a petition challenging the election of Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and BJP MP Suresh Gopi from the Thrissur constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.The election petition was filed by AIYF Thrissur District President, Binoy A. S. alleging...

Gratuity Serves As Retirement Benefit Ensuring Immediate Financial Support, Cannot Be Paid In Installments: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court bench of Justice Murali Purushothaman held that gratuity could not be paid in instalments as the purpose of gratuity is to serve as a retirement or terminal benefit ensuring immediate financial support to the employees or their dependents.“The law does not provide for payment of gratuity in installments as the purpose of gratuity is to serve as a retirement or...