Kerala High Court ends centuries-old tom-tom tradition for court notices

The decision follows a sustained campaign by a rights activist who challenged the continuation of the archaic custom in modern judicial proceedings. The tom-tom and kinnam mutti vilambaram—traditional methods of public announcement—were historically used to notify residents about court-ordered property attachments, a practice that survived both the colonial period and independent India.

The tradition remained embedded in Kerala's court procedures despite decades of modernization, with the practice still active in select courts across the state. The relevance of the custom had been questioned in recent years, particularly as the judiciary shifted toward digital and printed notification systems.

The movement to abolish the practice gained momentum after charges for tom-tom announcements were hiked significantly. In 2016, fees for the service were increased from ₹15 to ₹100, prompting renewed scrutiny of whether the outdated mechanism justified its continued expenses and administrative burden.

The High Court's Rules Committee has now determined that the removal of these provisions aligns with contemporary judicial practices and eliminates unnecessary procedural costs. The decision marks a formal end to one of Kerala's most distinctive legal traditions, reflecting the judiciary's broader shift toward efficient, modern communication methods for court notifications.