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 Special Bench of Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C. S. Sudha had directed the Special...

'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 'goonda' under Section 2(j) of the Act. The Division Bench of Justice P.B.Suresh Kumar and Justice Jobin...

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 who believe that they can attack a Judge and get away.. ask them to wait for their time. We will go behind...

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 exercise was already carried out in these local bodies based on the 2011 census.The Kerala Government by virtue...

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 to marriage. The court further said that legal position was comprehensive that criminal proceedings...

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...

'Accused Acquitted Due To Shortfalls In Probe': Kerala HC Calls For Scientific Investigation Methods, Centralized Knowledge Repository

The Kerala High Court underscored the importance of conducting effective investigation by the police by scientific methods of investigation technology, by not just relying on traditional methods of collecting evidence for ensuring a robust and efficient investigation process.In the facts of the case, the appellant-mother who was convicted under Section 302 of the IPC by the Additional...

PMLA Does Not Intend To Attach Or Confiscate All Properties Of A Person Connected With Crime: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has observed that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) does not intend to attach or confiscate all properties of a person connected with crime, especially those properties that were acquired before even the commission of the crime.A senior citizen and his wife have approached the Court seeking to quash an order of provisional attachment issued under the...