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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Discrimination against SC community remains: Kerala High Court
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has observed that despite protective provisions for Scheduled Caste communities in the Constitution and laws like the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, discrimination and ostracisation against them have not been fully eradicated. Justice V G Arun said the Scheduled Castes in India have faced systemic ignominy like exclusion, untouchability and violence rooted in centuries-old caste hierarchy. They had restricted access to resources, land and quality education. Still, the discrimination continues. 'One cannot be oblivious of the fact that the tolerance level of persons from vulnerable sections will not be the same as that of those who have not suffered any such ignominy. To put it pithily, only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches,' the court said. The HC made the remarks while dismissing a petition filed by C K Kusuman, former principal of DB College in Kottayam's Keezhoor, seeking to quash the case against him for allegedly making casteist remarks against an assistant professor in 2022. Advocate Thomas J Anakkallunkal, the assistant professor's counsel, said the principal made the comments with the deliberate intention of insulting him by reason of his parentage. The remarks were made during the staff meeting of the college, the counsel said. The court said the question of whether the insulting remark made inside the hall can be perceived as something done within public view can only be decided based on evidence, and the HC cannot conduct a mini-trial or microscopic scrutiny of documents.
News18
09-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
No Religion, No Caste, Only Curiosity: Kerala Judge's Advice On Raising Children
Last Updated: Justice VG Arun of Kerala High Court praised parents raising children without declaring their caste or religion. He said such students are a home for future's betterment. No Religion, No Caste, Only Curiosity: Kerala Judge's Advise On Raising ChildrenKerala High Court judget VG Arun remarked that the children who raised without any caste or religion bar represent the future. As per a report by Bar and Bench, Arun's statement came while addressing an event organised by the Kerala Yuktivadi Sanghom. He lauded the parents who are chosing to not declare their child's religion in the school records. He also said that such students will be able to ask the questions that other's can't. 'I laud each of you who send your children to school and teach them without attaching religion or caste to their names. These children are the promise of tomorrow. These are the children who will tomorrow ask the right questions without fear, even in the face of opposition from society," Bar and Bench quoted Justice Arun as saying. The event was organized to honor Pavanan, the esteemed rationalist writer, and to felicitate fellow rationalist author Vaisakhan. Justice Arun paid tribute to both, praising their unwavering dedication to reason and secularism, symbolized by their decision to discard caste-based surnames in favor of pen names. In the speech delivered in Malyalam, Justice Arun also recalled his father, who was also an author and was eply influenced by Pavanan, even adopting the pseudonym 'Anilan" in his early writing. 'Social media warriors pounce on them like vultures. I am currently presiding over the jurisdiction which deals with quashing criminal proceedings. Many petitions that come before me are to quash cases registered based on social media comments. I have to read these posts to consider those cases. It is distressing but I must say these social media posts pollute the Malayalam language. I have often wondered how a Malayalee can debase themselves in such a manner. I believe this is due to the lack of rationalists like Pawanan and Vaisakhan", Justice Arun said. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 20:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- NDTV
Cops Can't Barge Into History Sheeters' Homes For 'Surveillance': Court
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has held that the police have no right to knock on the doors of suspected persons or history sheeters or "barge" into their homes at night under the guise of surveillance. The ruling by Justice V G Arun came on a plea by a man accused of threatening police officers from discharging their duties when they asked him to come out of his home late at night as part of night check on rowdy history sheeters. Allowing the plea, the court quashed the FIR against the man and all further proceedings in connection with it, saying that "under the guise of surveillance, the police cannot knock on the doors or barge into the houses of history sheeters". The court said that police officers should understand that the concept of home "transcends its physical manifestation as a dwelling and encompasses a rich tapestry of existential, emotional and social dimensions". "In other words, every man's house is his castle or temple, the sanctity of which cannot be vilified by knocking on the door at odd hours. A person's right to life encompasses the right to live with dignity and dignity is non-negotiable," it said. The court further said that under the Kerala Police Manual only 'informal watching' of history sheeters and 'close watch' over those leading criminal existence were permitted. "Undoubtedly, neither of those expressions permit domicile visits at night," it added. It also pointed out that under section 39 of the Kerala Police Act all persons are bound to comply with the 'lawful directions' of a police officer for discharge of his functions. "Knocking on the doors of a history sheeter at midnight and demanding him to come out of the house cannot by any stretch of imagination be termed as a lawful direction," the court said. Consequently, the petitioner cannot be prosecuted for the offence of threatening a police officer to obstruct him from discharging his duties under the Kerala Police Act for refusing to abide by the direction to come out of the house at night, the court added. "If, as alleged, the petitioner had used derogatory language or threatened the police during the course of such refusal, his action may invite some other offence, but definitely not the offence he is presently charged with," it said. The petitioner had claimed that he was implicated in the case to divert the enquiry ordered by the High Court into his complaint alleging police harassment. The police had claimed that as part of their night check duty on rowdy history sheeters, officers had gone to ascertain if the petitioner was at home. However, when he was asked to open the door of his home, he refused to do so and also abused and intimidated the officer, it had alleged.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Mint
Kerala High Court bars police from barging into history sheeters' home under guise of surveillance
The Kerala High Court has held that the police have no right to knock on the doors of suspected persons or history sheeters or "barge" into their homes at night under the guise of surveillance. The ruling by Justice V G Arun came on a plea by a man accused of threatening police officers from discharging their duties when they asked him to come out of his home late at night as part of night check on rowdy history sheeters. Allowing the plea, the court quashed the FIR against the man and all further proceedings in connection with it, saying that "under the guise of surveillance, the police cannot knock on the doors or barge into the houses of history sheeters". The court said that police officers should understand that the concept of home "transcends its physical manifestation as a dwelling and encompasses a rich tapestry of existential, emotional and social dimensions". "In other words, every man's house is his castle or temple, the sanctity of which cannot be vilified by knocking on the door at odd hours. A person's right to life encompasses the right to live with dignity and dignity is non-negotiable," it said. The court further said that under the Kerala Police Manual only 'informal watching' of history sheeters and 'close watch' over those leading criminal existence were permitted. "Undoubtedly, neither of those expressions permit domicile visits at night," it added. It also pointed out that under section 39 of the Kerala Police Act all persons are bound to comply with the 'lawful directions' of a police officer for discharge of his functions. "Knocking on the doors of a history sheeter at midnight and demanding him to come out of the house cannot by any stretch of imagination be termed as a lawful direction," the court said. Consequently, the petitioner cannot be prosecuted for the offence of threatening a police officer to obstruct him from discharging his duties under the Kerala Police Act for refusing to abide by the direction to come out of the house at night, the court added. "If, as alleged, the petitioner had used derogatory language or threatened the police during the course of such refusal, his action may invite some other offence, but definitely not the offence he is presently charged with," it said. The petitioner had claimed that he was implicated in the case to divert the enquiry ordered by the High Court into his complaint alleging police harassment. The police had claimed that as part of their night check duty on rowdy history sheeters, officers had gone to ascertain if the petitioner was at home. However, when he was asked to open the door of his home, he refused to do so and also abused and intimidated the officer, it had alleged.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kerala HC decides to frame guidelines for expert panel reviewing medical negligence allegations
Kochi: High court has decided to frame guidelines governing the functioning of expert committees constituted to review allegations of medical negligence against doctors. The bench of Justice V G Arun appointed Advocate S Akash as amicus curiae to assist the court in formulating the guidelines. The court was hearing two petitions filed by doctors challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against them in their respective trial courts. The petitioners are facing prosecution under Section 304A of the IPC, alleging that patients under their care had died due to medical negligence. They contended that they were neither heard by the expert committee nor provided a copy of its report. In response, the additional director general of prosecution (ADGP) submitted that no procedural guidelines currently exist regarding the functioning of such expert committees. HC observed that the absence of clear guidelines could adversely affect the right to a fair trial of the accused. It stressed that it is essential for the committee to consider the doctor's explanation before finalising its report and to furnish a copy of the report to the concerned doctor, thereby enabling them to challenge or appeal it, if necessary. The bench also requested the ADGP to submit suggestions regarding the structure and content of the proposed guidelines and adjourned the matter to July 17.
