Kerala High Court
Kerala High Court: Maternity leave is a right; cannot be clubbed with regular discretionary leaves
The Court stated that extraordinary situations require extraordinary measures. In this unique case, where the petitioner had to avail both maternity and medical leave in the same year, the general rule of termination for exceeding one year’s leave cannot be rigidly applied.
Cheque dishonour complainant is a ‘victim’; Acquittal must be challenged by appeal, not revision: Kerala HC
“A complainant under Section 138 of the NI Act is a victim as defined in Section 2(wa) CrPC as the expression ‘victim’ includes not only the person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of any act or omission for which the accused person has been charged, but also includes his or her guardian or legal heir.”
Sections 151 and 152 CPC applies only to clerical or arithmetical error, not merit-based determinations: Kerala HC
“Clerical mistakes are those that occur in the course of typing or writing, while arithmetical mistakes are those that occur during calculation. As to accidental slip or omission, the decisive test is whether it is apparent from the record that the Court intended to do something but failed to do so owing to an accidental or inadvertent omission.”
Universities must regulate student political activities and ensure congenial atmosphere to curb violence: Kerala HC
“It is the responsibility of the Universities and Colleges to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in the campuses, and they must make all endeavour to ensure that academics is not compromised for reason.”
Kerala HC directs closure of unrecognised school teaching Quran; Allows temporary operation only till 2025-26
“It was undisputed that the educational institution was being run without valid recognition from the Government concerned, and the averments in the educational institution’s counter affidavit stated that the said institution was imparting preschool education to about 300 students, teaching Quran and allied subjects.”
Bar Association not ’employer’ under POSH Act: Kerala HC sets aside Internal Complaint Committee’s report on alleged harassment
“The term ‘employer’ means someone who exercises control over a workplace in the context of an employment relationship and discharges contractual obligations towards employees.”
Saying ‘go away and die’ in heat of passion not abetment of suicide under S. 306 IPC; Kerala HC discharges accused
“When the deceased came to know that the accused was about to marry another woman, she inquired about the same over the phone, and enraged by the query, the accused scolded the deceased and said, ‘go away and die’. The deceased feeling mentally disturbed, jumped into a well along with her daughter and committed suicide.”
Confession to police is legally non-existent; Cannot be used against co-accused under Section 30 Evidence Act: Kerala HC orders acquittal
“Where a confessional statement is otherwise excluded or is inadmissible by virtue of Sections 25 or 26 of the Evidence Act, there can be no question of such confessional statements being made admissible against another co-accused with the help of Section 30 of the Evidence Act.”
Mere statement of aggrieved person disclosing prima facie ingredients of the offence sufficient to sustain charges under SC/ST Act: Kerala HC
“Just because the witnesses’ statements do not disclose any overt act, that by itself would not be a ground to discharge the accused as law does not insist plenty of witnesses to prove an offence and the evidence of a solitary wholly reliable witness would suffice the purpose.”
Hindu wife can claim maintenance from husband’s immovable property beyond HAMA: Kerala High Court
“A Hindu wife’s right to have maintenance from her husband’s properties originated the moment she got married to him. Her right remained dormant until denial of maintenance or initiation of legal proceedings, at which point it transformed into an inchoate right and later crystallised into a charge upon judicial declaration.”
Kerala HC stays Memo of Charges issued against Registrar by Kerala University VC regarding Bharat Mata Portrait Row
“As per Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, 1974, the VC may only exercise powers of the Syndicate or the Academic Council in cases of emergency when the Syndicate is not in session, and any such action must be reported to the Syndicate or Academic Council at its next session.”
Brand Ambassador/Endorser’s liability under Consumer Protection Act: Kerala High Court absolves Actor Mohanlal from liability in Manappuram Finance consumer case
A brand ambassador/endorser cannot be proceeded against in consumer dispute proceedings for unfair trade practice or deficiency of service unless a direct link is established between the endorser and the transaction.
Kerala HC permits name change in marriage certificate after woman’s religious conversion under Article 226
“Rule 13 of the Kerala Registration of Marriage (Common) Rules, 2008 restricts major changes in the marriage register, permitting only corrections of errors in form or substance or fraudulent or improper entries, subject to conditions in sub-rule (2).”
Kerala HC strikes down S. 9 of Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act; upholds Guruvayoor Devaswom’s statutory autonomy over appointments
“It is settled that a special law prevails over a general law, and a non obstante clause in a later enactment cannot obliterate the legislative intent of a prior special statute, particularly one governing a unique and constitutionally protected religious institution like the Guruvayoor Devaswom.”
Kerala HC calls out delay in enacting Anti-Superstition Law, Directs State to consider Special Cell as interim measure to address complaints
“The Court noted the relevance of Article 51-A(h), which enjoins citizens to develop a scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry, and the petitioner’s reliance on Article 21 of the Constitution, and that despite repeated adjournments and assurances, the State had neither enacted legislation nor conclusively declined to do so over a span of nearly four years.”
Kerala HC grants bail to 19-year-old accused in POCSO, IT Act case involving sharing minor girl’s nude images online
“The accusations against the accused were prima facie well-founded, particularly the allegation that he transmitted nude videos of the girl through social media. The Court observed that such conduct could not be viewed lightly.”
Flood Control can’t endanger Ecology: Kerala HC directs Committee oversight for sand removal at Thottappally Spillway
“An order was passed by the District Collector as the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, suggesting removal of sand from the Thottappally Spillway and soil from the Thannirmukkam Bund, along with cutting of Casuarina trees obstructing water flow.”
Kerala HC grants conditional bail to Film Director in casting couch allegations as investigation already crossed crucial stage
“Prima facie case of ‘casting couch’ practices, which must be dealt with a heavy hand. Such offences, which exploited professional aspirations for sexual gratification, constituted a serious affront to the dignity of women.”
President transfers Justice Soumen Sen as Chief Justice of Kerala High Court; Directs to assume charge on 9-1-2026
On 18-12-2025, the Supreme Court Collegium led by CJI Surya Kant, recommended the transfer of Justice Soumen Sen as Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.

