Allowing Public To Use Washroom Is Covered Under Marketing Discipline Guidelines Governing Fuel Stations: Oil Companies Tell Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, directed major oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), to submit counter-affidavits detailing the dealership agreements which mandate that washrooms at petrol retail outlets be made available to the general public.The Court questioned...

Mere Non-Lowering Of Indian Flag After Sunset Not An Offence, But Violation Of Flag Code: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against a person for failing to lower the National Flag for almost 2 days after hoisting it during an Independence day celebration.Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath considered whether offences under Section 2(a) of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, read with Part-III, Section III, Rule 3.6 of the Flag...

Kerala High Court Orders Reconsideration Of Woman's Request To Donate Kidney To Husband's Friend

Kerala High Court has set aside the orders of the State and District Level Authorisation Committees rejecting a kidney transplant application involving two family friends.Justice N. Nagaresh directed the District Level Committee to reconsider the application within six weeks, granting the petitioners an opportunity to submit fresh evidence.The case involved Musthafa N.P, a chronic kidney...

'Deplorable But Not Illegal': Kerala High Court Quashes Case Against Law Student Accused Of Defiling Gandhi Statue

The Kerala High Court recently quashed the criminal proceedings taken against a law student for allegedly defiling a Mahatma Gandhi statue on his campus by putting cooling glasses and Christmas wreath on it.Justice V.G. Arun quashed the criminal proceedings alleging commission of offences under Sections 153 [Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot] and 426 [Punishment for...

'Manager' Of Factory U/S 2(f) Of Payment Of Gratuity Act Can Be Considered As Employer For Gratuity Proceedings: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that a manager of a factory, as defined under Section 2(f) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, can be considered the lawful employer for the purpose of gratuity proceedings, even in the absence or death of the proprietary owner.Justice K Babu delivered the judgement, dismissing a challenge brought by the legal heirs of late Jose Samuel, former proprietor of...

Kerala High Court Questions VC's Authority To Continue Suspension Of Kerala University's Registrar Despite Revocation By Syndicate

The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 4) orally questioned the authority of Kerala State University's Vice Chancellor to continue the suspension of Registrar Prof Dr. K.S. Anilkumar, despite revocation of the same by University Syndicate.The writ petition was filed by the Registrar seeking to quash several orders issued by the VC under Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, that...

Kerala High Court Issues Notice On Plea Challenging Kollam Bar Association Election Result

The Kerala High Court has recently issued notice on a petition challenging the results of the election to the Board of Directors of the Kollam Bar Association. Notably, the Bar Association has 9 directors, who are elected from 9 constituencies.When the petition came up for hearing on Thursday (July 31), Justice N. Nagaresh admitted the same and issued notice by special messenger. The case is...

Kerala High Court Weekly Round-Up: July 28 – August 03, 2025

Nominal Index [Citations: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 458 - 476]Sharaf Arts and Science College Committee v State of Kerala and Ors, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 458Angels Nair v The Principal Secretary and Others, 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 459Aryadan Shouketh and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors., 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 460Domestic On-Grid Solar Power Prosumers Forum Kerala v. Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission...

Kerala High Court Issues Directions To Ease Traffic Congestion, Enhance Pedestrian Safety In Thiruvananthapuram's East Fort Area

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 30) disposed of a public interest litigation seeking improvement of pedestrian pathway and safety in East Fort area of capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.The petition was filed seeking a direction to the state government (respondent 1) and the Transport Commissioner (respondent 2) to implement the proposal submitted by the NATPAC (National...

State Used Private Building As Covid Facility, Can't Deny Rent Citing 'Unauthorised Construction': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently said that the State government is legally bound to pay rent and compensation to the owners of a private building, which it used or took over invoking the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.Justice N. Nagaresh in his order observed that the buildings and valuable equipments belonging to the petitioner educational agency, were taken over by the...

Kerala High Court Directs State To Re-Examine MGNREGA Social Audit Society's Composition To Ensure Its Independence

The Kerala High Court recently passed a judgment directing the State government to constitute a committee to look into the independence of the Social Audit Society under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) Scheme.The Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was considering a PIL filed by Adv. George Pulikuthiyil, former ombudsman of...

S.84 BSA | Power-Of-Attorney Executed Before Foreign Notary Valid Only If Country Is 'Reciprocating' Under Notaries Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that in the absence of a notification recognizing a foreign country as a reciprocating country, an Indian court cannot recognize a power-of-attorney executed by a foreign notary public.Justice K. Babu observed, “I am of the considered view that the mandate of Section 57(6) of the Indian Evidence Act that the Court shall take judicial notice of the seals...