Wife’s Right to Maintenance Cannot Be Waived by Contract

• In Laju Cherian v Tara Laju and State of Kerala [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 261], the court held that any private agreement where a wife waives her right to maintenance is legally invalid, as it contravenes public policy and cannot prevent her from claiming maintenance in the future.

Bench Acting Outside Its Roster Lacks Jurisdiction

• In Trivandrum Apollo Towers Pvt. Ltd v Union of India [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 262], the court ruled that any order issued by a bench on matters not assigned to it is without jurisdiction and thus a nullity.

Lok Adalats Must Verify Litigant Identity

• In Vaisakh A Nair v The Managing Director, KSRTC [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 263], the court emphasized that Lok Adalats must verify the identity of parties before initiating settlement proceedings to prevent impersonation.

State’s Appeal in Criminal Case Dismissed

• In State of Kerala v Jayesh K. [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 265], the court dismissed the State’s appeal against an acquittal, citing insufficient evidence to overturn the lower court’s decision.

RTI Access to Information Held by Co-operative Registrar

• In The Muppathadam Service Co-operative Bank v The State Chief Information Commissioner [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 266], the court ruled that information accessible by the Co-operative Society Registrar can be sought under the Right to Information Act, even if not directly held by the public authority.

Reservation for Persons with Disabilities in Govt-Aided Schools Upheld

• In Samajam Higher Secondary School v State of Kerala [2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 267], the court upheld the government’s order extending reservation benefits to persons with benchmark disabilities in government-aided educational institutions.

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