Courts Need not Order DNA Test to Determine Paternity even If Mother Agrees

9 July 2025Posted inFamily, Marriage & DivorceNo Comments
Even if a mother agrees to get done the DNA profiling test of her child to ascertain its paternity, the courts must still act as the 'custodian' of the rights of the child and consider the pros and cons of the said test before calling upon the minor to undergo the test, says the Bombay High Court in SKP v KSP [2025: BHC-NAG:6350].

Uncultivable Paddy Lands can be Removed from Data Bank: HC

7 July 2025Posted inUncategorizedNo Comments
In Dr Satheeshsankaranarayanannamboothiri v State of Kerala [2025:KER:40084] the Kerala High Court decided that a property that remains irreparably fragmented by government acquisition, lies landlocked by roads and fallow with the scattered vegetation, and continues to remain unsuitable for cultivation, cannot be classified as paddy or wetland under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy and Wetland, 2008 & its Rules.

Arrears of Rent up to Notice Period alone can be Claimed u/s 11 (2) (b) of the Kerala Rent Control Act

6 July 2025Posted inLease & Rent ControlNo Comments
An order under Section 11(2)(b) of the Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1965 (BRC Act) should specify the period in which the rent fell in arrears till the date of demand notice and the monthly rent payable, says the High Court of Kerala in Thomas Stephen v Fort in Infra Developers Pvt Ltd [MANU/KE/1521/2017].

Guardian’s Right to Sell Minor’s Property under Guardians & Wards Act

6 July 2025Posted inProperty & SuccessionNo Comments
Any property or a share in any joint property owned by a minor, cannot be sold or disposed of by other means, by the natural guardian of the minor, without taking permission from the court. The disposal of property of a minor or creating a charge on it, by the natural guardian under Hindu law is governed by Section 8 of HMGA and Section 29 of the HMGA.

Unregistered Sale Agreements are Admissible as Evidence in Suits for Specific Performance

28 June 2025Posted inProperty & SuccessionNo Comments
Unregistered sale agreements, while not transferring ownership, are admissible as evidence in a suit for specific performance to establish the existence of a contract. This admissibility is governed by the interplay between Section 17 and Section 49 of the Registration Act. However, such agreements cannot be used to claim ownership or title to the property without a decree for specific performance, as held by the High Court of Kerala in Shaju v. Victory Granite Bricks Pvt. Ltd. & Another [2025:KER:45599].

State Universities Cannot Insist on Equivalence Certificate from IGNOU or Other National Institutes

22 June 2025Posted inOthers
The High Court of Kerala clarified in a judgment, in Harisankar S. v State of Kerala & Others [2025:KER:43507], that state universities cannot insist on equivalence on certificate from National Institutions, National Universities such as Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU) and other institutions recognized by the University Gants Commission (UGC).

Freedom of Speech by Media Cannot Override a citizen’s Right to Dignity, Reputation, and Privacy

21 June 2025Posted inConstitutional law
The conflict between the right of media to report criminal proceedings by pronouncing innocence or guilt of the parties, and its impact on the individual’s right to dignity, reputation and privacy, under the constitution was examined by a Five Judge Bench of the High Court of Kerala, in Dejo Kappan v Deccan Herald & Others [2024:KER:82715].