Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Polity & Governance
Why in News?
Recently, Kerala has officially become “Keralam,” but its High Court will remain the “High Court of Kerala” unless Parliament separately approves a name change.
- The State Government may replace the term “Kerala” with “Keralam” in its own government institutions, including the following:
- Officeal records,
- Documents,
- Seals,
- Publications,
- Letterheads,
- Files,
- and registers.
- No change/impact – Kerala’s name change to Keralam will have no impact on the High Court of Kerala.
- Because the judiciary is not part of the State government and has an independent footing as one of the three pillars of democracy.
- The names of some High Courts retained their historical names despite changes in the names of their respective States.
- Procedures – The name change of the High Court can be made only through a High Court Name Amendment Act to be passed by Parliament.
- Unpassed High Court Renaming Bills - In 2016, proposals to rename the High Courts of Madras and Bombay lapsed as the amendment bills introduced in Parliament were never passed.
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Historical Background of Kerala High Court
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- Pre‑1949
- Travancore → High Court at Thiruvananthapuram.
- Cochin → High Court at Ernakulam.
- Malabar District → Under the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court.
- July 1, 1949 – Travancore and Cochin merged to form the High Court of Travancore‑Cochin, seated at Ernakulam.
- November 1, 1956 – The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 created the State of Kerala by merging Travancore‑Cochin with Malabar District.
- The Kerala High Court was established at Ernakulam.
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Reference
The Hindu | Name of Kerala High Court
