In re: Ownership and custody of the captive elephant 'Uttoly Raman'

K.S. Hamza vs State of Kerala — Challenge to Waqf Board Reconstitution

Former Waqf Board chairperson K.S. Hamza challenged the Kerala government's reconstitution of the State Waqf Board in the Kerala High Court, arguing it violated a directive to fill vacancies. Following the board's reorganization and the assumption of office by new members on 17 October 2026, the High Court division bench declined an interim stay on the government's order and referred the petition to a larger bench on 19 October 2026. The court issued notice to the relevant parties before admission on 23 October 2026.

State (CBI) vs P. Jayarajan and others — Ariyil Shukoor murder case

This case concerns the 2012 murder of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) activist Ariyil Shukoor in Kannur, Kerala. The investigation, transferred to the CBI, involves allegations of conspiracy against senior CPI(M) leaders, including P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh, who were charged with failing to prevent the killing following an attack on their vehicle convoy.

In re: Guidelines for production of arrested persons before Judicial Officers

On 24 October 2026, the Kerala High Court set aside state government guidelines that restricted the production of arrested persons before judicial officers to business hours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The court clarified that the 24-hour statutory period for producing an arrested individual before a magistrate is an outer limit rather than a justification for delay and affirmed that police must ensure timely production regardless of the time of day.