India - High Court of Kerala

Repeated Possession of Small Quantity Drugs Renders Person 'Drug Offender' & 'Goonda' Under KAAPA: Kerala HC 5-Judge Bench

Kerala HC's Zero-Tolerance Shift: Small Drug Stashes Now 'Goonda' Territory Under KAAPAIn a landmark ruling dated March 31, 2026, a powerhouse five-judge bench of the Kerala High Court—led by Justice Devan Ramachandran alongside Justices Gopinath P, A Badharudeen, M.B. Snehalatha, and Jobin S...

02 Apr 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Bail Granted Without Notice to Victim Under Sec 15A(3) SC/ST Act is Non-Est: Kerala HC Cancels Bail in Mob Lynching Case

Kerala High Court Raps Lower Court, Cancels Bail in Shocking Walayar Mob LynchingIn a stern rebuke to procedural lapses, the Kerala High Court on March 19, 2026, cancelled the bail granted to eight accused in the brutal mob lynching of Ram Narayan Bhagel, a 40-year-old Scheduled Caste laboure...

21 Mar 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Failure of IO to Note Victim's Intellectual Disability Not Fatal If Competent to Testify: Kerala HC on Section 118 Evidence Act

When Victim's Words Outweigh Investigation Gaps: Kerala HC Upholds Rape ConvictionIn a significant ruling on witness credibility in sensitive cases, the Kerala High Court dismissed an appeal by 73-year-old Appukuttan, upholding his seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for ...

06 Mar 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Prima Facie Role in Ghee Misappropriation Bars Anticipatory Bail under PC Act Sections 13(1)(a)/13(2): Kerala HC

Sabarimala Ghee Heist: Kerala HC Rejects Pre-Arrest Bail, Eyes Custodial Probe in Rs 36 Lakh ScamIn a swift ruling that underscores the gravity of temple fund embezzlement, the Kerala High Court on February 24, 2026, dismissed anticipatory bail

26 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Co-op Bank Loans Outside Service Area Not Misappropriation Without Pecuniary Loss: Kerala High Court

Beyond the Borders: Kerala HC Rules Co-op Loans to Outsiders No Crime If Fully RepaidIn a significant ruling for cooperative banking, theKerala High Court at Ernakulamhas quashed criminal charges against two borrowers, holding that granting loans to individuals outside a bank's service area—w...

19 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Special Court Must Verify Police Refer Report & Pass Reasoned Order on Protest Complaint Under SC/ST (PoA) Act: Kerala HC

Kerala High CourtCracks Down on Cryptic Orders: Special Courts Must Explain Themselves in SC/ST CasesIn a significant ruling for cases under theScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, theKerala High Courthas ruled that Special Courts cannot take cognizance of off...

16 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Misuse of LCB Clauses for Extra Rates in Public Works Contract Amounts to Criminal Misconduct u/s 13(1)(d) PC Act: Kerala HC

Corruption on the Canal: Kerala HC Nails Engineer-Contractor Duo, Hits Heirs with FineIn a stark verdict against graft in public infrastructure, the Kerala High Court upheld the conviction of a retired Superintending Engineer and a contractor for siphoning off over Rs 34 lakh from an irrigati...

14 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Kerala HC Invokes Presumption Under Section 8(c) SC/ST Act to Retain Charges Over Forged Suit Against SC Member

Kerala High CourtRetains SC/ST Atrocities Charges in Forgery Case Involving Kuri Company SuitIntroductionIn a significant ruling on the application of presumptions under theScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2018 (SC/ST PoA Act), theKerala High Courthas part...

10 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Kerala HC Reconsiders If NDPS Possession Qualifies as KAAPA 'Stocking' for Goonda Tag

Kerala High Court Signals Zero Tolerance for NDPS Violations, Probes Link to KAAPA 'Goonda' Label The Kerala High Court has issued a stern warning against violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, emphasizing that every infraction will be treated with utmo...

06 Feb 2026

India - High Court of Kerala

Kerala High Court Bench Debates Drug Offenders as Goondas

Kerala High Court Bench Debates Drug Offenders as Goondas In a significant development for criminal jurisprudence in India, a five-judge constitutional bench of the Kerala High Court is grappling with a pivotal question: Can all individuals accused of drug offenses be branded as "goondas" und...

05 Feb 2026