The Kerala High Court has ruled that the practice of electro-homoeopathy is regulated under the Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners Act, 1953 and the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021. This decision overturns a 2020 ruling by a single judge that had limited police intervention with practitioners of this system. The Travancore-Cochin Medical Council v Rajesh K & ors[1]
The case began when a electro-homoeopathy practitioner challenged claims about police interference with his medical practice. He argued that electro-homoeopathy was an unregulated alternative therapy. He believed that since there was no law banning it, authorities should not stop him from practicing. The Single Judge supported this view based on a previous Division Bench ruling from 2020.
The Division Bench, which included Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K. of the Kerala High Court, disagreed with this opinion. The Court determined that a qualification in electro-homoeopathy falls within the broader category of homoeopathic medicine. Therefore, practitioners must follow the registration and regulatory requirements set for homoeopathic practitioners. The Court also noted that the right to practice a profession is not unlimited; it is subject to laws that regulate qualifications and behavior to protect public health.
The Division Bench held that the earlier decision in W.P.(C) No. 19484 of 2008, relied upon by the Single Judge, was per incuriam as it overlooked the Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners Act, 1953. The Court clarified that the right to practise a profession is subject to statutory regulation and that electro-homoeopathy, being a branch of homoeopathy, is governed by the relevant State medical laws.
The Court clarified that electro-homoeopathy cannot be considered unregulated just because there is no specific ban. Once a practitioner claims to specialize in a part of homoeopathic medicine, state medical laws apply to ensure patient safety and appropriate healthcare standards.
“While a citizen is guaranteed a fundamental right to practice any profession or to carry out any occupation, trade or business, that right is by no means absolute in nature.” Court said.
As a result, the Division Bench allowed the writ appeal from the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council, overturned the Single Judge’s decision, and confirmed that the practice of electro-homoeopathy is governed by state laws regulating homoeopathy.
[1] The Travancore-Cochin Medical Council v Rajesh K and Others 2026:KER:42984, WA No 1737 of 2020 (Ker HC, 17 June 2026).
This article has been researched and prepared by Shruti Sahu, Legal Research Intern at LegalRath.