NoraizNafi at 05:56, 2 May 2026

2026-05-02T05:56:01Z

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{{Short description|Indian judge}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Karunakaran. Babu
| honorific_prefix = [[Honourable]] [[Judge|Justice]]
| image = Justice K. Babu in 2022.jpg
| office = [[Kerala High Court|Judge of the Kerala High Court]]
| appointer = [[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| nominator = [[Sharad Arvind Bobde]]
| predecessor =
| office2 =
| education = [[Master of Laws]], [[Master of Economics]]
| alma_mater = Government High School, Thevannoor. [[Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram]]. [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|5|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Ayoor]], [[Kollam]]
| father =
| mother =
| spouse = Mrs. Sandhya Babu
| children = Mrs. Vrinda Babu
Mr. Varun Babu
| website = {{URL|https://hckerala.gov.in/judges.php|High Court of Kerala}}
| term_start2 =
| term_end2 =
| state = [[Kerala]]
| office1 = District Judge
| term_start1 = 2009
| term_end1 = 2021`
| appointer1 = [[R. S. Gavai]]
| prime_minister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| nominator1 =
| pronunciation = Karunakaran Babu करुणाकरन बाबू കരുണാകരൻ ബാബു
| parents = Mr. Karunakaran
Mrs. Bhavani
}}
----'''Karunakaran Babu''' (born 8 May 1964), often referred to as '''K''' '''Babu''' , is an Indian judge who is presently serving as a judge of the [[Kerala High Court]]. The High Court of Kerala, headquartered at [[Ernakulam]], [[Kochi]], is the highest court in the Indian state of [[Kerala]] and in the [[Union Territory of Lakshadweep]]. Previously he also served as the [[Public administration|Administrative]] Judge for the [[Union Territory of Lakshadweep]], overseeing its judicial administration. Prior to his elevation to the High Court, he served as the [[District courts of India|District]] and [[Sessions court|Sessions Judge]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref name="hc">{{cite web|url=https://hckerala.gov.in/judges.php|title=Official|via=Official website High Court of Kerala|date=|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="Appointment">{{cite web|url=https://doj.gov.in/sites/default/files/Orders%20of%20appointment%20of%20Shri%20Z%20R%20A%20A%20Rahiman%20and%2003%20others%20%20to%20be%20Addl.%20Judges%20of%20Kerala%20HC%20%2822.02.2021%29.pdf|title=Appointment Notification|via=Department of Justice, Government of India|work=doj.gov.in|date=22 Feb 2021|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="PIB">{{cite web|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1700024|title=Appointment Notification|via=Official website Press Information Bureau|work=pib.gov.in|date=22 Feb 2021|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="H1">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/four-appointed-as-hc-judges/article33904547.ece|title=Four appointed as HC judges|via=The Hindu News|work=thehindu.com|date=22 Feb 2021|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="LL1">{{cite web|url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/four-new-judges-take-office-in-kerala-high-court-working-strength-now-40-170374|title=Four New Judges Take Office In Kerala High Court; Working Strength Now 40|via=Live Law News|work=livelaw.in|date=25 Feb 2021|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="IE1">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/aug/18/hc-to-get-four-more-judges-2184771.html|title=Kerala HC to get four more judges|via=New Indian Express News|work=newindianexpress.com|date=18 Aug 2020|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="TOI1">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-hc-gets-4-new-judges/articleshow/81166688.cms|title=Kerala HC gets four new judges|via=Times of India News|work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|date=23 Feb 2021|access-date=12 Mar 2022}}</ref>

==Family and education==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
Babu attended Government High School, Thevannoor, mastered in Economics from University of Kerala, obtained a law degree from [[Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram]], and an LLM Degree from the [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala]].

Babu comes from a close-knit family with deep-rooted values in education and law. His son, Mr. Varun Babu, born on August 25, 2004, is an [[Alumni|alumnus]] of [[Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram]] , is currently pursuing his legal studies at [[Christ University]] in [[Delhi NCR]]. Varun Babu was awarded the Best Paper Award and the Best Presenter Award at the 1st International Labour Law Conference on New Labour Codes, hosted by [[Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai]] on 6 April 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bench |first=Bar & |date=2026-04-09 |title=MNLU Mumbai hosts 1st International Labour Law Conference on New Labour Codes |url=https://www.barandbench.com/Law-School/mnlu-mumbai-hosts-1st-international-labour-law-conference-on-new-labour-codes |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |language=en}}</ref> His daughter, Mrs. Vrinda Babu, has already established herself in the legal field, having completed her [[Master of Laws]] from [[Cochin University of Science and Technology]] and practicing as a Lawyer. His wife, Mrs. Sandhya Babu, formerly a school teacher has played a significant role in shaping their family's academic foundations. Justice Babu's parents, Mr. Karunakaran and Mrs. Bhavani, were engaged in Agriculture, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline and hard work that continues to reflect in his successful professional and personal journey.

==Career==
[[File:Karunakaran Babu.jpg|thumb|333x333px|Visiting union territory of Lakshadweep in 2024.]]
Babu enrolled as an advocate on March 20, 1994, and began his legal practice in [[Kottarakkara]] and [[Kollam]], specializing primarily in [[Civil law (legal system)]] , [[Family law]] and [[Criminal law]] while handling various other branches of law. In 2009, he secured the 1st rank in the Kerala Higher Judicial Service examination and joined as a District & Sessions Judge. Over the years, he served in multiple key judicial and administrative roles, including:
* Additional District Judge at [[Thalassery]], [[Pathanamthitta]], and [[Kottayam]]
* Special Judge (SPE/CBI) at [[Kochi]]
* Special Commissioner, [[Sabarimala Temple]] (Additional Charge)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-11-12 |title=Commissioner to coordinate activities at Sabarimala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/commissioner-to-coordinate-activities-at-sabarimala/article7871700.ece |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* Registrar (Subordinate Judiciary) in the [[Kerala High Court]]
* Registrar (Officer on Special Duty) in the [[Supreme Court of India]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Judges {{!}} DISTRICT COURT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM {{!}} India |url=https://thiruvananthapuram.dcourts.gov.in/former-judges/page/2/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Principal District Judge, [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
* Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee for the [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple]](Additional Charge)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-04-24 |title=SC entrusts Padmanabhaswamy temple to five-member committee |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sc-entrusts-padmanabhaswamy-temple-to-fivemember-committee/article5943740.ece#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20on%20Thursday,R.M.%20Lodha%20and%20Justice%20A.K. |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

While serving as Principal District Judge, Thiruvananthapuram, he was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court on February 25, 2021, and became a permanent judge on June 6, 2022.

== Notable rulings ==
* Case against Kerala MLA [[Rahul Mamkootathil]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2025-12-07 |title=Kerala HC restrains police from arresting Rahul Mamkootathil |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Dec/07/kerala-hc-restrains-police-from-arresting-rahul-mamkootathil |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> When the anticipatory bail plea came up for hearing, Justice K Babu said the matter would be posted for a detailed hearing. “''During the pendency of the case, I will not permit the police to arrest the petitioner because he has raised serious contentions'',” the court observed. “''No man shall be condemned unless heard''. When a matter is pending before a constitutional court, he will not be arrested. The petitioner’s case is that it was a consensual relationship. And admittedly, there is a consensual relationship,” Justice Babu added.
* Jomon Puthenpurackal v State of Kerala<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isac |first=Manju Elsa |date=2025-04-11 |title=Kerala High Court Orders CBI Probe Against Former Chief Secretary KM Abraham In Disproportionate Assets Case |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-k-m-abraham-disproportionate-assets-cbi-289131 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>

The Kerala High Court on Friday (11 April) ordered CBI enquiry into former Chief Secretary of Kerala [[K. M. Abraham (civil servant)]] in a case of illegal amassment of wealth. The order was passed by Justice K. Babu in a petition filed by Jomon Puthenpurackal, a popular activist. It is alleged that while serving as the Additional Chief Secretary of Financial Department, Abraham acquired wealth disproportionate to his income.

* Actor assault case<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2024-04-12 |title=Actor assault case {{!}} Kerala HC directs sessions judge to give survivor statements of those examined during inquiry into memory card access |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-assault-case-kerala-hc-directs-sessions-judge-to-give-survivor-statements-of-those-examined-during-inquiry-into-memory-card-access/article68057885.ece |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In the [[Dileep]] case, Justice K. Babu issued a directive for the Ernakulam District and Sessions Judge to provide copies of statements made during the fact-finding inquiry to the survivor. This directive came in response to a plea filed by the survivor alleging unauthorized access to a memory card containing visuals of the alleged assault. The court also ordered the sessions judge to conduct an inquiry into the alleged unauthorized access and leakage of the memory card's contents.

* Ex-Minister Dr [[K. T. Jaleel]]'s Challenge Against Lok Ayukta Report<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lydia Suzanne |date=2021-04-20 |title=BREAKING: Kerala High Court Dismisses Ex-Minister KT Jaleel's Challenge Against Lok Ayukta Report |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/kerala-high-court-dismisses-ex-minister-kt-jaleels-challenge-against-lok-ayukta-report-172841 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the writ petition filed by former Minister for Higher Education and Minority Welfare KT Jaleel, challenging a report of the Kerala Lok Ayukta which had found him guilty of nepotism and favouritism. A division bench comprising Justice PB Suresh Kumar and Justice K Babu affirmed the Lok Ayukta report, stating that Jaleel had not made out any ground...

* Case against Actor [[Unni Mukundan]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-15 |title=Kerala High Court stays case against actor Unni Mukundan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-high-court-stays-case-against-actor-unni-mukundan/article66972313.ece# |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>[[File:K babu.jpg|thumb|288x288px|Inaugurating a panel discussion on the new criminal laws in Thiruvananthapuram. ]]
The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed all further proceedings in a criminal case registered against actor Unni Mukundan for outraging the modesty of a woman script writer. Justice K. Babu passed the stay order on a petition filed by the actor seeking to quash the case.

* Concept Of ''<nowiki/>'[[Res ipsa loquitur]]''' Is Merely An Aid For Evidence in Criminal Cases, Not Substantive Law<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Gyanvi |date=2025-01-10 |title=Concept Of 'Res Ipsa Loquitur' Is Merely An Aid For Evidence In Criminal Cases, Not Substantive Law: Kerala High Court |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-ruling-res-ipsa-loquitur-applicability-criminal-cases-280595 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>

The Kerala High Court (on January 8) observed that the principle of res ipsa loquitur (accident speaks for itself) can be extended to criminal cases, only as an aid for assessment of evidence. The maxim does not embody any rule of substantive law nor a rule of evidence., said the Court.The Bench of '''Justice K Babu''' observed thus while acquitting an accused, convicted of rash and negligent...

* Torture' Not Part Of Police's Official Duty, No Sanction Required To Prosecute For Such Acts<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isac |first=Manju Elsa |date=2024-12-02 |title='Torture' Not Part Of Police's Official Duty, No Sanction Required To Prosecute For Such Acts: Kerala High Court |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-police-torture-no-sanction-cognizance-276914 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>

The Kerala High Court has held that a Magistrate Court can take cognizance in case of custodial torture by police office, without prior sanction of the State Government under Section 197(1) of CrPC. Justice K. Babu reasoned that a Police Officer torturing a man in a police station cannot be treated as part of official duty, thus not requiring sanction to prosecute.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://highcourtofkerala.nic.in High Court of Kerala]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babu, Karunakaran}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Judges of the Kerala High Court]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian judges]]
[[Category:University of Kerala alumni]]
[[Category:Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, alumni]]

Karunakaran Babu - Revision history

NoraizNafi at 05:56, 2 May 2026