Kerala High Court Rejects Plea Challenging Hike In Court Fees

The Kerala High Court dismissed a public interest litigation that challenged the State’s decision to increase court fees across various proceedings. The petitioner argued that the hike was arbitrary and burdens litigants, but the Court observed that fixing court fees falls within the policy domain of the legislature and executive. It held that as long as the increase is not confiscatory or discriminatory, the judiciary cannot intervene. The Court noted that reasonable revisions are necessary for maintaining judicial infrastructure and administrative costs. The judgment reaffirms the principle of separation of powers and the judiciary’s reluctance to interfere with fiscal policy decisions of the State. It also clarified that the revised rates would not violate the right to access justice under Article 21, as provisions for fee exemptions remain available for indigent litigants.