Employees Compensation Act Does Not Bar Lok Adalat From Adjudicating Compensation Claim Upon Employee's Death: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that Permanent Lok Adalats can settle or adjudicate the claims for compensation against employers upon the death of employees. It found that the bar under the Employees Compensation (EC) Act do not apply to the proceedings under Section 22C of the Legal Services Authorities Act.Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim was considering an appeal preferred by the parents of the deceased employee against the decision of the Employee's Compensation Commissioner.The deceased had...

Kerala High Court Aids Schizophrenic Litigant In Getting Psychiatric Assistance After He Filed Plea Suspecting Proceedings Against Himself

The Kerala High Court recently undertook a unique act of judicial activism when it aided a litigant, who was appearing in person and suffering from schizophrenia, to take mental health support.The Division Bench of Dr. Justice Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian was considering a writ petition filed by the petitioner on a suspicion that he would be detained in accordance with...

Market Value Of Property Must Be Determining Factor Under Commercial Courts Act, Not Court Fee Value: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that the market value of the property must be the determining factor under Section 12 (1)(c) of the Commercial Courts Act, and not the valuation adopted for the purpose of court fees under the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1959.A Full Bench comprising Justice Sathish Ninan, Justice C.S. Dias, and Justice C.S. Sudha delivered the judgement...

Kerala High Court Seeks Customs Dept Response On Dulquer Salman's Plea Challenging Seizure Of Car

The Kerala High Court on Friday (September 26) sought the response of the Customs Department on a petition filed by actor-producer Dulquer Salman challenging the seizure of his Land Rover Defender by Customs officials as part of Operation Numkhor.He has contended that the Customs action was "arbitrary, illegal, and based on mere suspicion". A bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman posted the matter...

Kerala High Court Directs State To Decide On Sanction For Vigilance Probe Into PP Divya's Alleged Benami Deals

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 25) directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the State to consider and pass orders for prior sanction to conduct vigilance inquiry into the alleged benami deals of former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya.Justice A. Badharudheen was considering a plea by Kerala Students Union (KSU) Vice-President, Muhammed Shammas P., seeking a...

Kerala High Court Directs State To Notify Snakebite Management Guidelines For Schools, Says Anti-Venom Supply Is Govt Responsibility

The Kerala High Court has issued directions to the State government on the issue of snakebite management and basic healthcare in schools, while disposing of a writ petition filed in connection with the 2019 snakebite incident involving a school student.Delivering the judgment, the division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen directed the State to issue...

Kerala High Court Upholds Stay On Judicial Commission Inquiry Into ED's Probe In Gold Smuggling Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday (September 26) upheld a Single Judge's interim order staying the State-appointed Inquiry Commission to probe if the Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies are falsely implicating political leaders in the State, including its CM Pinarayi Vijayan, in the gold smuggling case.The gold smuggling case involved seizure of 30 Kgs gold worth Rs.14.82 Crores...

Seniority Must Be Based On Length Of Service In Absence Of Specific Rules When Cadres Are Integrated: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that in absence of specific rules regarding reckoning of seniority after integration of cadres, length of service is the appropriate criterion for determining seniority.The Division Bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. set aside an earlier judgment of a single judge. The case arose after the Kerala State Electricity...

Kerala High Court Says State Can Maintain Admiralty Suit Over MSC Elsa 3 Sinking But Slashes Security For Release Of Arrested Sister Vessel

The Kerala High Court has modified the security amount to be deposited for the release of sister ship of MSC Elsa 3 from Rs. 9531 crores to Rs. 1227.62 crores. Earlier, the Court had ordered for the conditional arrest of the MSC Akiteta II (1st defendant ship) in an admiralty suit filed by the government of Kerala (plaintiff).Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim observed:“the Order dated 07.07.2025...

Bill To Amend Anti-Ragging Act Pending Before Law Dept For Scrutiny: State Tells Kerala High Court

The Director General of Prosecution on Thursday (September 25) informed the Kerala High Court that the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Amendment Bill is now before the Law department for scrutiny.The Special Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran was considering petitions before it for addressing the issue of ragging menace in the State. Earlier, Kerala State Legal...

'7202 NDPS Cases Pending': Kerala High Court Seeks State Govt's Stand On Establishment Of Special NDPS Courts

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 25) sought the state government's stand regarding establishment of Special NDPS Courts in all the judicial districts in Kerala.The Special Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji gave time to the government pleader to get instructions in this regard. The Bench was considering a batch of petitions addressing various issues,...

'Vehicles Are Killing Machines, If Not Used Correctly': Kerala High Court Asks State To Ensure Scientific Management Of Zebra Crossings

The Kerala High Court on Thursday expressed deep exasperation over the recurring accidents involving pedestrians at zebra crossings, despite repeated assurances and directions from the authorities.Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering a matter concerning road safety and “Zebra crossing”. When the case was taken up, the Court was informed that a pedestrian was recently injured,...