The Kerala High Court has affirmed the conviction and life imprisonment of a former state government employee found guilty of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl over 45 days in 2009. The court dismissed the accused's appeal, stating the victim's testimony was "sterling quality" and corroborated by medical evidence, rejecting claims of false implication.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government's decision to order a preliminary enquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, despite information from the ED regarding corruption offences against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others. The court is hearing appeals from Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, who argue they were not heard before an FIR was directed to be lodged. The ED alleges fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore were made to Veena's company.
The CBI has initiated an investigation into an alleged Rs 65-crore investment scam involving Viswadeepthi Multi State Agri Co-operative Society Ltd, following a directive from the Kerala High Court. The society is accused of inducing public deposits with high interest rates but failing to repay them, leading to significant financial losses for depositors.
The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the trial proceedings in the 2018 Mattannur Shuhaib murder case until June 15, following a plea by three accused seeking to transfer the trial to a different court. The case involves the alleged murder of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib and has seen significant legal and political attention.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance to register an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. The court stated that information provided by the Enforcement Directorate contains sufficient material to show commission of cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, ruling out the need for a preliminary enquiry. The court also deemed illegal the state government's decision to form a Special Investigation Team for a preliminary enquiry.
The Kerala High Court acquitted the first accused in the 2018 Attappadi Madhu lynching case, where a tribal youth was killed by a mob. The court also partly allowed the state's appeal and enhanced the punishment for the 16th accused.
The Kerala High Court has admitted an appeal by CMRL against a single-judge verdict allowing the ED to continue its money laundering investigation into the company's dealings with Veena T, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed former state Transport Minister Antony Raju's plea seeking suspension of his conviction in an evidence tampering case, stating it is not in the interest of law or public interest.
The Kerala High Court has upheld the conviction and life-term sentence of a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl he used to ferry to school back in 2012-13. The court dismissed his appeal, even after his death, affirming the trial court's findings based on the child's consistent testimony.
The Kerala High Court has ordered a further probe by the CBI into the death of renowned violinist Balabhaskar and his daughter in a 2019 car accident. The court criticised the CBI for its "casual and lackadaisical manner" in handling the previous investigation, which concluded it was an accident. The court directed the CBI to appoint an officer not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police for the new investigation.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a plea to prevent the release of a film allegedly based on the Venjaramoodu mass murder case, citing concerns over media trial and impact on the accused's right to a fair trial.
The Kerala High Court has upheld the life sentence of five BJP activists for the murder of a CPI(M) worker in Kannur in 2006, affirming the trial court's decision and highlighting the political rivalry behind the crime.
Kerala's Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph stated that criticism regarding the state government's initial decision for a preliminary inquiry in the alleged CMRL payments case, involving former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his family, would subside following a recent Supreme Court verdict. Health Minister K Muraleedharan also affirmed that the SC order vindicated the government's cautious approach, which prioritised a preliminary inquiry over immediate FIR registration based solely on the ED's request.
The Kerala High Court has ordered police not to arrest an Additional District and Sessions Judge whose 17-year-old son was involved in a fatal car accident. The judge sought anticipatory bail after being named an accused. The victim's family expressed disappointment but vowed to continue their legal fight, while police continue their investigation.
The Supreme Court has granted a temporary relief to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, and son-in-law by staying for a week the investigation against them in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. The apex court permitted them to appeal a single judge's order before the Kerala High Court division bench and cautioned the Enforcement Directorate against exceeding its statutory limits.
The Kerala high court has delivered a landmark judgment, empowering Christian women in India to file for divorce from their current place of residence, thereby removing a significant procedural hurdle and ensuring equal access to justice.
'Refusal does not invite immediate legal penalty; it invites Constitutional unease.'
The Bombay High Court has ruled that delay in lodging an FIR for sexual assault and harassment cases cannot be the sole ground for quashing a criminal prosecution, especially given the societal challenges families face in reporting such incidents. The court dismissed a petition by a man accused of molesting his domestic help, rejecting his arguments about delayed complaint and false implication.
The Supreme Court has directed the deletion of a Kerala High Court order that placed the state Waqf Board under the supervision of a joint secretary, thereby restoring the Board's autonomy. The apex court modified the high court's interim order, allowing the joint secretary to remain a board member but removing any supervisory capacity.
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing on journalist Siddique Kappan's plea to release his passport until November 2. Kappan, arrested in 2020 in the Hathras conspiracy case, had deposited his passport as a bail condition set by the top court in September 2022.
The Kerala child rights panel has directed the state government to include rugby in the upcoming annual state school sports meet, following a High Court directive. The panel also ordered the General Education Department to make arrangements for competitions and ensure children can participate in national events, and to amend the state school sports meet manual to include rugby in the 2026-27 National School Games.
A 17-year-old son of an Additional Sessions Judge was taken into custody after his Mercedes-Benz car allegedly hit and killed a 54-year-old man in Kerala. The initial release on bail sparked protests, leading to graver charges and a re-arrest.
The Kerala High Court has intervened to protect a young woman, known as the 'Kumbh Mela girl', from being transferred to Madhya Pradesh police without its order, despite a directive from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Congress leader Jinto John criticised the UDF government for opting for a preliminary inquiry instead of an FIR against LoP Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL bribery case. This comes after the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging an order to register an FIR. The Enforcement Directorate alleges fraudulent payments to Vijayan's daughter's company.
The Kerala high court on Thursday ordered release of Italian ship Enrica Lexie, detained off Kochi port for over a month in connection with the gunning down of two Indian fishermen allegedly by marines aboard the vessel.
A Kerala court has requested a report from Madhya Pradesh Police regarding allegations of an underage marriage involving a woman who gained attention during the Kumbh Mela and later married her friend at a Kerala temple.
Property ownership disputes depend on the registered deed, the parties' intentions, financial contributions and available evidence.
A court in Kerala dismissed a petition filed by the accused in the Mattannur Shuhaib murder case, seeking to transfer the trial to another court. The Thalassery Additional Sessions Court also rejected a separate plea to stay the trial proceedings in the high-profile 2018 murder case of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib.
The PIL by Non Resident Indian Sanu Joe Mathew against Rs 1.13 crore duty waiver follows similar such petitions in Delhi and Bombay high courts.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The court ruled that even if a marriage was solemnised under Muslim religious rites, it would not protect the accused from criminal liability under the POCSO Act, reinforcing that the Act applies when one party is a minor, irrespective of personal law.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has dismissed Opposition allegations of lapses in the investigation of a high-profile luxury car crash in Nedumbassery that killed three youngsters. Satheesan affirmed that the probe is on the right track, countering claims of foul play and attempts to protect the accused, Suhail, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The accused were remanded to a Borstal school, a decision the CM attributed to the court.
"On going through the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate it appears that the CBI did not produce the extract of case diaries along with remand report," Justice R Basant said when a petition by Father Jose Puthrukayil, one of the accused in the case, seeking to quash the order of 14-day CBI custody came up before him.
Three nuns in Kerala, who supported a nun accusing a Catholic bishop of rape, have launched a clothing venture called 'Stand By Me'. Facing financial hardship after their assistance was stopped, they revived tailoring skills to earn a livelihood. This initiative provides them with independence and a new purpose, expanding from local orders to online sales and employing workers.
In a significant ruling, the Kerala high court on Fridday said that being a Maoist is not a crime and police cannot detain a person merely because he is a Maoist.
The Kerala High Court has vacated its order for police protection to a young woman, who gained fame during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, after police reported they could not trace her. Her husband faces kidnapping charges, as her family claims she is a minor and opposed their marriage. The court stated protection would be provided if she approaches them.
An Additional District and Sessions Judge has been arraigned as an accused after his 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz and killed a scooterist in Kochi. The incident led to protests, a transfer of the probe to the District Crime Branch, and a debate in the Keralam Assembly, highlighting concerns over police handling and parental responsibility.
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the increasing trend of filing criminal cases, particularly rape charges, after consensual relationships fail. The court clarified that physical intimacy during a functioning relationship cannot be retrospectively branded as rape merely because the association ended. It emphasized the need to distinguish between genuine absence of consent and regret over past consensual acts, warning against the weaponisation of criminal law.
The Kerala high court has ruled that elected local body representatives must take their oath strictly as prescribed by law, invalidating oaths that included names beyond "God" or solemn affirmation. The court directed affected councillors to retake their oaths within four weeks, clarifying that while their elections remain valid, actions by a panchayat member whose oath was invalid are also invalid.
