Criticism Aimed At 'Vilifying' Institution Unacceptable: Kerala High Court Sentences Man To 3 Days Imprisonment For Derogatory FB Posts On Judges

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sentenced P.K. Suresh Kumar to three days' simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹2,000 for making a series of Facebook posts containing "contemptuous and intemperate remarks" against sitting judges of the High Court.The proceedings, initiated suo motu by the Court, were presided over by Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice Jobin Sebastian. This is the second time Kumar faced contempt proceedings. In the first instance, he had been discharged after...

Vipanchika Death Case: Family Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Diplomatic Engagement With UAE For Fair Probe, Repatriation Of Remains

Maternal aunt of Vipanchika Maniyan, who along with her daughter was found hanging in their residence in Sharjah, UAE, has approached the Kerala High Court seeking a direction to the Central government to diplomatically engage with the competent authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ensure a comprehensive, fair and transparent investigation.The petitioner has alleged that the deceased was subjected to constant mental harassment, emotional abuse and threats at the hands of her...

Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict On Advocates Association's PIL Against Court Fee Hike

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 16) reserved its orders in the plea moved by the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) challenging the increase in Court Fees.A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji heard detailed arguments by Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy appearing for the KHCAA and that of Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kururp for the State. The KHCAA had moved a Public Interest Litigation against the increase in Court Fees and imposition...

'This Was Intentional': Kerala High Court Criticizes ADGP For Using Tractor On Sabarimala Road In Defiance Of Court's Previous Order

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 16) criticized the 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.The High Court had barred the use of tractors for carrying people through the trekking path to Sabarimala back in November 2021. Their use is allowed for the limited extent of transporting goods."This is very unfortunate because this was intentionally done...

Kerala High Court Asks Syndicate Member To Show 'Actual Obstruction' In Entering Varsity Campus, Says Can't Order Police Protection Just For Fear

The Kerala High Court today (July 16) orally told PS Gopakumar, a member of the State University Syndicate, to show an actual incident of obstruction faced by him while entering the varsity campus, in wake of the recent Bharat Mata portrait row.Justice N. Nagaresh said the Court cannot entertain the member's plea for Police protection, merely based on fear and apprehensions.“When you say you are obstructed, I want specific date and time on which date you are obstructed. I won't entertain 'like...

Kerala High Court Closes Plea As CBFC Certifies Suresh Gopi Film After Edits; No Legal Action On Use Of Old Title In Earlier Teasers

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 16) closed the writ petition filed by producers of the Suresh Gopi starrer 'JSK - Janaki v State of Kerala', observing that a U/A Certificate was granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on July 11.The legal tussle between the production and the CBFC was over the name of the protagonist 'Janaki', who is a rape survivor, since the name holds religious significance for the Hindu community.CBFC had suggested to change the sub-title of the...

Judge Bound To Hear Cases As Per Roster; Litigants Can't Engage In Forum Shopping: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has recently observed that judges are bound to hear the cases as per the roster prepared by the Chief Justice and that litigants cannot pick and choose the judges that have to hear their cases. The observation was made Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan while hearing a party-in-person whose writ petition was noted with defects for not taking steps to issue notice to...

Kerala HC Stays Proceedings In Criminal Cases Against Patanjali, Its Founders Ramdev & Balkrishna Over Alleged False Ads

The Kerala High Court has on Monday, (July 14) stayed the criminal proceedings taken against Divya Pharmacy and, its President Acharya Balkrishna and General Secretary Swami Ramdev (petitioners) in seven alleged cases of violation of Section 3(d) of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.For context, the relevant portion of Section 3(d) of the Act is...

KAAPA | Police Records Digitised Across State, Six Months' Delay To 'Collect Crime Records' Invalidates Externment Order: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court recently held that a delay of six months in initiating proceedings under Section 15 of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007, can sever the live link between the last prejudicial activity and the date of externment when the only explanation for the delay was that time was required to collect the crime records.Division Bench of Justice Raja...

Kerala Bar Council Lifts Ban On Advocate Facing Assault Allegation, High Court Told

The Kerala High Court today disposed the plea filed by Advocate Beylin Das, whose practice was barred by the Kerala Bar Council for allegedly assaulting a woman advocateJustice N Nagaresh, disposed of the petition after it was submitted that the Bar Council has reconsidered the petitioner's representation. During the hearing, senior counsel appearing for the Bar Council of Kerala informed...

High Court Can Quash Ad Interim Injunction Order Granted By Civil Court In Suit Barred Under IBC: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that High Courts can use their supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution of India to set aside an ad interim injunction granted by a civil court in a suit barred by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).Justice K. Natarajan observed that the existence of an alternative remedy to vacate an order provided under Order 43 or Order...

Legislation On Black Magic Deferred, But Subject Under Active Consideration: State Tells Kerala High Court

The Kerala government today reiterated before the High Court its commitment to regulate harmful practices carried out under the guise of supernatural and magical acts, even after deferring a proposed legislation on the issue.The submissions was made before the bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji, considering a PIL filed by Kerala Yukthi Vadhi Sangham seeking...