NHAI Can't Force Public To Pay Toll If Highways Are Not Well-Maintained: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently observed that toll fees cannot be collected from the public when access to highway is hindered due to ill-maintained roads and consequent traffic congestion. It, therefore, suspended the toll collection in Paliyekkara Toll Plaza in Thrissur district for four weeks.The Division Bench of Justices A. Muhammed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon observed:"It is to...

'Dividend Is Company Discretion': Kerala High Court Questions Cheating Charges If Complainants In Fashion Gold Case Are Shareholders

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (August 7) orally asked if the offence of cheating under Section 420 IPC would be made out if the complainants in the Fashion gold case turned out to be shareholders of the four accused companies. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering the bail pleas of former MLA M.C. Kamarudheen and his business associate T.K. Pookoya Thangal, who respectively were...

Kerala High Court Stays Proceedings Against Actor Shwetha Menon In Obscenity FIR

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (August 7) stayed proceedings in FIR lodged against Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon for allegedly acting in movies and advertisements containing obscene and vulgar visuals for monetary gain. The interim order was passed by Justice V.G. Arun.While dictating the order the high court said:"I find prima-facie substance in the contention of the learned counsel for...

Actor Shwetha Menon Approaches Kerala High Court Seeking To Quash FIR Over Obscenity Allegations

Actor Shwetha Menon has approached the High Court of Kerala seeking to quash criminal proceedings initiated against her under allegations including obscenity and involvement in immoral activities. The petition, filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, comes in the wake of an FIR registered at the Ernakulam Central Police Station (Crime No....

Procedural Irregularities By Police Officers During Search, Seizure Of Contraband Is Misconduct But Not Criminal Offence: Kerala High Court

Kerala High Court has quashed an FIR against a police officer accused of illegal search and bribery, holding that procedural irregularity in the matter of seizure of contraband alone, would not constitute an offence, even though it may attract disciplinary proceedings.Justice A Badharudeen, delivered the judgment and ruled that the FIR registered against the petitioner was unwarranted and...

No KVAT Levy On Advertisement Hoardings Where Right To Use Has Not Been Transferred: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that transactions involving the display of advertisements on hoardings are not taxable under the Kerala Value Added Tax Act (KVAT), where the right to use has not been transferred. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. agreed with the assessee that the charges collected by the assessee for displaying the advertisement included the charges for erection, printing...

Cochin International Airport Ltd A 'Public Authority' Under RTI Act : Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) is a public authority coming within the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005.Dismissing the writ appeals preferred by CIAL challenging the decision of the Single Bench, the Division Bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. observed as below:“…all the limbs...

Kerala High Court Closes Suo Motu Contempt Case Against Ex-MLA R Rajesh Over Alleged Facebook Post Against Judges

The Kerala High Court closed the contempt proceedings initiated against former MLA R Rajesh by allowing a discharge application, citing significant procedural violations in the initiation and conduct of the proceedings.The division bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar allowed the discharge application. The contempt case had been initiated by a single judge of the...

Kerala High Court Deprecates ADGP's Action Of Using Tractor On Sabarimala Road Defying Its Earlier Orders, Closes Suo Motu Proceedings

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 6) expressed its strong disapproval against the action of M.R. Ajith Kumar IPS, Additional Director General of Police (Armed Forces Battalion) for using a tractor belonging to the Kerala Police Department on the Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Road on July 12 and 13.A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar...

Kerala High Court Suspends Toll Collection In Paliyekkara Toll Plaza On NH 544 For Four Weeks

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 6) suspended the toll collection in Paliyekkara Toll Plaza (Thrissur district) on NH 544 for four weeks.The Division Bench of Justices A. Muhammed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon passed the order in a batch of petitions challenging the toll collection and observed:"We note with concern the total apathy displayed by the National Highways Authority...

Owners Of MSC Elsa 3 Ship Approach Kerala High Court Seeking To Limit Liability On Maritime Claims Arising Out Of Sinkage

Elsa 3 Maritime Inc., Multi Container Management and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. have filed an admiralty suit before the Kerala High Court praying for limitation of liability for maritime claims arising from the losses caused due to the sinkage of MSC Elsa III.MSC Elsa 3, a Liberian-flagged vessel, sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25, 2025, causing grave environmental, ecological...

'Employment' U/S 17B Industrial Disputes Act Includes Self-Employment Where Workman Earns Adequately: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently ruled that the term “employment” under Section 17 B of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, includes self-employment where the workmen earns adequate income.Justice S Manu, while deciding on an interim application in a writ petition, held that a workman cannot claim benefits under Section 17 B merely in the absence of formal employment, if he or she is...