The Kerala High Court Bar Association raised concerns over a WhatsApp group leaking sensitive judicial information, including court orders. The group, comprising judges, lawyers, and journalists, was accused of undermining judicial integrity. The association requested an investigation and emphasized the need for stricter controls on communication within the legal system.
Today, On 30th October, five new judges were sworn in at the Kerala High Court, reducing judicial vacancies to two. The court now has 45 judges out of 47 allotted. Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar administered the oath, and officials welcomed the appointees, emphasizing their contributions amidst criticisms of the Central government’s delays in approvals.
Today, On 13th June, The Kerala High Court set new guidelines for judges’ chambers and the signing/uploading of judgments post-retirement to ensure timely delivery of judgments and proper use of court resources. This comes after allegations against a retired judge who continued visiting her chambers and accessing case files. The guidelines require judges to submit pending judgments and restrict the use of chambers after retirement.
Former Supreme Court Justice KM Joseph emphasized that the Indian Constitution inherently embraces secular values, regardless of the explicit mention of ‘secularism’ in the preamble. He highlighted that the removal of the word “secular” would not diminish the equality guaranteed under relevant articles. Justice Joseph underlined the significance of secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution.
The Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) expressed discontent with Justice A. Badharudeen’s treatment of lawyers, citing refusal to adjourn a case for a health concern and last-minute scheduling. They recommended universal video recording of court proceedings for transparency and fairness. The incident underscores the need for judicial reforms to enhance procedural fairness and transparency.
Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor has been reinstated as the President of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) following a unanimous decision by the Executive Committee. This reinstatement comes after the State Police informed the Kerala High Court that they were dropping all charges against him, and the Special Investigation Team submitted its closure report. […]