Allegations Of False Promise Of Marriage Unsustainable When Victim Is In Subsisting Marriage: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that allegations of sexual intercourse based on a false promise of marriage cannot be sustained when the complainant is already in a subsisting marriage.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while granting regular bail to the petitioner accused of sexually assaulting a woman on the pretext of marriage, observed. “Though the allegations are serious, since the victim...

Angamaly Co-op Scam: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To 7th Accused VD Tomy

The Kerala High Court recently granted regular bail to V.D. Tomy, who is the 7th accused in the alleged case of misappropriation of ₹115.8 Crores by granting fake loans in Angamaly Co-operative Urban Society. He was arrested on 11th July and has been custody since then.Justice A. Badharudeen granted bail after noting that Tomy had no antecedents, and the investigation in the case had...

Kerala High Court Underscores Head-Priest's Authority In Temple's 'Spiritual' Affairs, Seeks Expert Report On Sree Padmanabhaswamy Idol

In petitions concerning alleged defects in the Moolavigraha (principal idol) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Kerala High Court underscored that matters relating to the temple's spiritual domain fall within the authority of the Thantri (head priest), who enjoys the status of “father of the deity”. A division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha recorded...

Short Intervals Forcing State Buses To Overspeed, Delay In Revising Timetable Despite Orders 'Deliberate Act Of Contempt': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court underscored the urgent need to regulate State-bus timings, directing the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to take immediate steps to ensure safer urban mobility.Justice Amit Rawal, was considering petitions filed by autorickshaw drivers seeking permission to operate freely in Kochi and Perumbavoor.In its earlier order dated August 8, the Court had expressed...

Fatigue-Detection Cameras, Police Verification: Kerala High Court Upholds Mandatory Safety Measures For Public Transport Operators

The Kerala High Court has upheld the State Transport Authority's (STA) decision mandating installation of surveillance cameras with fatigue-detection sensors, geo-fencing technology, and compulsory production of Police Clearance Certificates(PCCs) for transport personnel.Justice Mohammed Nias C P, delivered the judgment dismissing a batch of writ petitions petitions filed by stage...

S. 232 BNSS | No Prohibition On Committal Courts To Consider Bail Applications: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that there is no prohibition on a committal court to consider the bail application of an accused person as per the second proviso to Section 232 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).Justice V.G. Arun observed:"The 2nd proviso casts a duty on the Magistrate to forward the applications filed by the accused or the victim to the Court of Session...

Kerala High Court Quashes State's Order For Removal Of Sedimentation From Periyar River, Calls For Comprehensive Solution Within Three Months

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (27, August) has set aside an order issued by the State Chief Secretary directing the Cochin Port Trust to urgently remove sedimentation obstructing the flow of the Periyar River near the Vallarpadam railway bridge, holding that such a far-reaching decision required consultation with all stakeholders. The court also directed the state to find a...

Kerala High Court Directs Vigil On Kochi's Canals, Closes Six-Year-Old PIL

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 27) issued comprehensive directions for the upkeep of the Kochi city's canal and drainage system, while affirming the role of a high-level committee constituted earlier to oversee the matter.Justice Devan Ramachandran, delivering judgment, noted that the 2018 floods were a “turning point” that exposed the fragility of Kochi's drainage...

Kerala High Court Quashes RDO's Order Allowing Conversion Of Lulu Hypermarket Thrissur Land Under Paddy Land Act; Orders Fresh Decision

The Kerala High Court has quashed Revenue Divisional Officer's orders (RDO) reclassifying land owned by Lulu Hyper Market Pvt. Ltd. in Thrissur, observing that statutory procedure under Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act had not been properly followed.It thus directed a fresh evaluation of the land. Justice Viju Abraham issued the judgment while disposing of two connected...

[S.292 IPC] Courts Must View Video In Obscenity Case To Verify Allegations: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has overturned the conviction of a man accused of possessing and distributing obscene video cassettes, holding that the trial court failed in its duty to directly verify the material evidence before finding him guilty.Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath, allowing the criminal revision petition, set aside the orders of both the Judicial Magistrate Court, Kottayam, and the...

Kerala High Court Directs Amicus To Verify Road Maintenance Work Carried Out By Kochi Municipal Corporation

In a plea concerning poor road conditions in the state, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday (August 27) asked the amicus curiae to verify the maintenance and repair work stated to be carried out by the Kochi Municipal Corporation. Justice Devan Ramachandran had previously summoned the Engineers of the roads that remained un-repaired, leading to accidents.Advocate Janardhana Shenoy appearing...

Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Actor Lakshmi Menon Booked For Abduction, Assault Of IT Professional

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to actor Lakshmi R Menon who is accused of assaulting and abducting an IT professional. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, granted the protection while considering the anticipatory bail application filed by the actor. On Monday (25, August), an FIR was registered against the petitioner in Ernakulam Town North Police...