MEDISEP Reimbursement Claim Can't Be Rejected Solely Because Treatment Was Taken At Non-Empanelled Hospital: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently held that a person under the MEDISEP scheme cannot be denied reimbursement of treatment expenses merely because he went to a non-empanelled hospital. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 417]MEDISEP (Medical Insurance Scheme for State Employees and Pensioners) is a social security scheme of the Kerala Government that provides comprehensive health insurance coverage to all...

POCSO | Putting Vibrating Machine On Victim's Vaginal Opening Amounts To Penetrative Sexual Assault & Rape: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently clarified that putting a vibrating machine on the victim's vaginal opening amounts to 'penetrative sexual assault' punishable under the POCSO Act as well as rape punishable under the Indian Penal Code. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 416]Justice A. Badharudeen referred to Section 3 of the POCSO Act [Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act], which defines...

Stray Dog Attack Victims Can Claim Damages For Panchayat's Failure To Perform Statutory Duties: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that a Grama Panchayat can be held liable to pay compensation to victims of stray dog attacks where the injury is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of its failure to discharge statutory duties imposed under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Animal Birth Control framework. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 413]A Division Bench of Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P....

Kerala High Court Sets Aside Report Clearing ADGP Sreejith Of Unauthorized Foreign Trip Allegations; Says Joint Hearing Unfair To Complainant

The Kerala High Court has held that when a complainant levels serious allegations against a public official, compelling the complainant to participate in a joint hearing with the very officer accused of misconduct violates the principles of fairness and natural justice.Justice A. Badharudeen delivered the judgment while allowing a writ petition challenging a compliance report submitted by...

Kerala High Court Seeks MLA V. Kunhikrishnan's Response To CPI(M) Leader's Plea Challenging His Election

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 30) sought the response of Payyannur MLA V. Kunhikrishnan in the election petition filed by CPI(M) leader T.I. Madhusoodhanan challenging the former's recent victory in the 2026 Assembly Elections.Justice G. Girish today issued notice to the MLA and posted the case to September 8 for further consideration.V. Kunhikrishnan contested as an...

Parents' Salary Income From Private Sector Must Be Considered To Decide If A Person Falls Under Non-Creamy Layer: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 29) held that salary income of the parents must be included while deciding whether a person falls under Creamy Layer or not for the purpose of reservation in professional colleges. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 408]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas dismissed two writ petitions filed by KEAM and NEET aspirants praying for a declaration that they fall under the...

Existence Of Complaint Can't Be Used By Police To Compel Settlement Under Guise Of Inquiry: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has observed that the existence of a complaint cannot be used by the police to compel the opposite parties to settle or abide by any demands of the complainant. The Court further added that such an action or conduct cannot be resorted to under the guise of any inquiry. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 410]Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a petition alleging harassment by...

Plea In Kerala High Court Challenges BCI Chairman's Orders "Controlling" State Bar Council After Fresh Elections

A writ petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging a series of orders issued by the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), contending that the BCI has no statutory authority to continue exercising control over the affairs of the Bar Council of Kerala after the newly elected XIII Bar Council was constituted.The petition has been filed by advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy,...

'Matter Will Be Viewed Very Seriously': Kerala High Court To State Over Delay In Probing Actor Dileep's Media Trial Complaint

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 30) orally questioned the State for not complying with its direction to fast-track investigation into the FIRs registered pursuant to its order based on actor Dileep's plea against media trial and alleged publication of trial details in the 2017 Actress Assault case.On February 20, the Court had directed the State to complete the investigation in the...

Kerala High Court Seeks State's Stand On Actor Ansiba Hassan's Plea Seeking FIR Against Lakshmi Priya Over Alleged Sexually Coloured Remarks

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 30) admitted a plea filed by actor Ansiba Hassan challenging a Magistrate order, refusing to direct the police to register an FIR and open an investigation against actor Lakshmi Priya and two others of CAN Channel, based on Hassan's complaint.Hassan had preferred the complaint stating that the accused persons circulated objectionable videos of her on...

Kerala High Court Stays Operation Of Govt Order Reorganising Police Associations In State

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (30 July) stayed the operation of a Government Order that restructures police personnel associations.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the interim direction on a plea filed by Kerala Police Association (KPA). The writ petition challenged the government order dated July 27, 2026, through which the State Government approved reorganisation of police...

Kerala High Court Issues Directions To Strengthen Audit, Financial Transparency In Guruvayur Devaswom

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (July 28) directed the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee to take immediate corrective measures to ensure conduct of audit of the finances of the Board in strict compliance with the Guruvayur Devaswom Act.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the directions after flagging many issues presently faced in...