Kerala High Court: origins, seat, jurisdiction and its pioneering women judges

Background

Why it matters now: on 29 September 2026 the High Court quashed a government order abolishing the Kerala Police Officers Association, holding that it infringed rights under Article 19(1)(c).
The High Court of Kerala was established on 01-11-1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 and inaugurated on 05-11-1956.
It succeeded the High Court of Travancore-Cochin, inaugurated at Ernakulam on 07-07-1949.
Its principal seat is Ernakulam and its jurisdiction covers Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
Justice Anna Chandy was the first woman High Court judge in India and Justice M. Fathima Beevi the first woman judge of the Supreme Court.