Madhya Pradesh High Court News & Judgments

Madhya Pradesh High Court

State Can’t Rigidly Apply 80-Day Condition to Refuse Paid Maternity Leave: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the State cannot deny paid maternity benefits to women employees in government establishments by strictly invoking the 80-day work requirement under Section 5(2) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

The case involved a contractual employee whose maternity benefits were withdrawn on this ground.

The Court emphasised that welfare legislation must be interpreted in light of constitutional principles, particularly Articles 38 and 39, which mandate protection of women’s health and dignity.

It ruled that the State, as a welfare employer, cannot apply eligibility conditions rigidly to defeat maternity rights, even if the 80-day threshold is not met.

[Dr Priti Saket v. State of Madhya Pradesh]

Read Order / 3 days ago

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19-Year-Old Woman Free to Live With Partner of Choice, Rules MP High Court in Habeas Corpus Case

The Madhya Pradesh High Court allowed a 19-year-old married woman to live with a partner of her choice after she refused to return to her husband or parents.

Hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by the husband alleging illegal detention, the Court found no such confinement, as the woman clearly expressed her voluntary decision.

Upholding her personal liberty, the Court permitted her to reside with the partner.

To ensure her welfare, it appointed “Shourya Didis” (female mentors) to remain in contact and support her for six months.

[Abdhesh v. State of Madhya Pradesh]

Read Order / 3 days ago

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Madhya Pradesh High Court Initiates Suo Motu Contempt Against BJP MLA for Contacting Judge

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the registration of a suo motu criminal contempt petition against BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak for attempting to influence a judge regarding a pending case.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf observed that Pathak’s conduct prima facie amounts to criminal contempt.

The action follows an incident in September 2025, where Justice Vishal Mishra recused himself after Pathak allegedly tried to contact him by phone to discuss a writ petition involving illegal mining allegations.

The Court has scheduled the contempt matter for hearing on April 6, 2026.

[Ashutosh Dixit v. Economic Offences Wing & Ors]

Read Order / 6 days ago

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Supreme Court Quashes Succession Certificate, Calls Expecting Minor to Respond to Public Notice "Perverse"

The Supreme Court recently set aside an ex-parte succession certificate, ruling that expecting a minor to respond to a public notice is "wholly erroneous and perverse."

A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and AG Masih observed that a minor cannot be expected to take legal steps upon publication and must be properly represented through a guardian in proceedings affecting their rights.

The Court faulted the Madhya Pradesh High Court for suggesting a minor heir should have joined proceedings following a general notice.

The Court held that failing to implead a known minor heir violates legal principles, restoring the case for fresh consideration.

[Deepesh Maheswari & Anr. v. Renu Maheswari & Ors.]

Read Judgement / 7 days ago

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MP High Court Enhances Compensation, Rules Homemaker’s Services Cannot be Equated to Unskilled Labour

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently enhanced the compensation awarded to the family of a deceased woman, observing that a homemaker’s contribution is far greater than that of an unskilled labourer.

Justice Hirdesh noted that a homemaker renders multifarious services and manages a household without fixed hours or leave, possessing an economic value that must be recognized for "just compensation."

The Court found the Tribunal’s initial assessment of ₹3,500 per month too low, raising it to the level of a semi-skilled worker (₹5,975).

Consequently, the total compensation was increased to over ₹12 lakh.

[Manoj v. Arvind Kumar Jha]

Read Order / 8 days ago

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Bombay High Court Dismisses Plea for CBI Probe into Adani Green Energy Bribery Allegations

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into allegations that Adani Green Energy Ltd paid over ₹2,000 crore in bribes to secure solar power contracts.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam rejected the plea, which relied on a US Department of Justice indictment and SEC proceedings pending in a New York federal court.

The petitioner, Jitendra Maru, alleged an organized scheme to bribe officials in multiple Indian states to secure power purchase agreements at inflated tariffs.

The Court's detailed order explaining the grounds for dismissal is currently awaited.

[Jitendra Maru v. Central Bureau of India & Ors.]

Read Details / 12 days ago

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Writ of Quo Warranto Not Maintainable Against University Professor: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that a writ of quo warranto cannot be used to challenge the appointment of a university professor or associate professor.

Justice Jai Kumar Pillai held that teaching faculty are university employees and do not hold "public office," which is a mandatory requirement for such a writ.

The Court noted that under the Madhya Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam, 1973, teachers are not defined as "officers" or "authorities."

Consequently, the Court dismissed a petition challenging a 1996 appointment, stating the relationship is strictly one of employer and employee.

[Dr Kshamasheel Mishra v. The State of Madhya Pradesh]

Read Order / 12 days ago

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MP High Court: Liquor Trade Not a Fundamental Right, Upholds Licence Suspension

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that trading in liquor is not a fundamental right under the Constitution and is subject to strict government regulation.

The Court upheld the suspension of licences granted to Som Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., after authorities found serious violations such as transporting liquor using forged permits.

The company argued that since its earlier licences had expired and new ones were issued, the previous violations should not affect the renewed licences.

However, the Court rejected this claim, stating that renewal cannot remove past statutory violations. It held that excise authorities acted lawfully and dismissed the company’s petition.

[Som Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. v. The State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.]

Read Order / 13 days ago

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MP High Court: Section 377 IPC Not Applicable to Sexual Acts Between Husband and Wife

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that oral and anal sex between a husband and wife cannot be punished under Section 377 IPC.

The Court was hearing a husband’s plea to quash charges filed by his wife, including sexual abuse and dowry harassment.

It observed that under the current law, sexual acts within a valid marriage are not treated as “unnatural offences”, and marital rape is not recognised.

However, the Court clarified that forced sexual acts can still amount to cruelty under Section 498A IPC. Accordingly, the Section 377 charge was quashed, but other allegations were allowed to proceed.

[Shubham Mangal v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.]

Read Order / 13 days ago

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Supreme Court Refuses to Intervene in Bhopal Gas Waste Disposal; Directs Petitioner to MP High Court

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition raising concerns over mercury leakage from waste residue at the Union Carbide site.

The Bench directed the petitioner to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court with its supporting scientific evidence.

The petitioner relied on an IIT Hyderabad report alleging that current incineration trial reports failed to accurately detect high mercury concentrations, risking groundwater contamination at the Pithampur disposal site.

The Bench observed that since the High Court has monitored the matter for two decades, it is the appropriate forum to examine expert deliberations on the safety of the disposal process.

[Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti v. UOI & Ors.]

Read Order / 24 days ago

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Penalty for Delay in Compensation Must be Paid by Employer, Not Insurance Company: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that an employer must personally pay the penalty for delaying compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923, even if the compensation amount is covered by insurance.

The Court clarified that the penalty under Section 4A(3)(b) arises from the employer’s own default and cannot be shifted to the insurance company.

The case arose after an employee died in a work-related accident and compensation was not paid within the statutory period.

While the insurer may pay compensation and interest, the Court held that the penalty must be borne by the employer to ensure timely payment and maintain the deterrent purpose of the law.

Read Details / a month ago

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Madhya Pradesh High Court Directs Expedited Trial in Bangladeshi Woman’s Plea Against Detention

The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed expedited trial proceedings in a Bangladeshi woman’s petition challenging her detention under the Foreigners Act.

The Court noted that the woman, whose identity and residency status are disputed, has been in custody for an extended period without conclusion of proceedings. Emphasising the right to a fair and speedy trial, the Court called for early completion of the trial and adjudication of her plea against detention.

The bench observed that prolonged incarceration without finalisation of legal proceedings undermines fundamental rights and must be avoided.

The matter is now listed for urgent compliance.

[Lima @ Riya Sheikh v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.]

Read Judgment / a month ago

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“Justice Hurried is Justice Buried”: MP High Court Sets Aside Order in Rewa POCSO Case

The Madhya Pradesh High Court set aside an order of a Special POCSO Court in Rewa that had rejected the accused’s application to summon key prosecution witnesses, including the forensic expert who prepared the DNA report.

Justice A.K. Singh observed that while expeditious disposal of old cases is important, it cannot come at the cost of a fair trial, remarking that “justice delayed is justice denied” must be read alongside “justice hurried is justice buried.”

The High Court directed the trial court to summon and examine the expert and other witnesses as requested, and thereafter proceed to decide the case in accordance with law.

Read Details / a month ago

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MP HC Rejects Constable’s Plea for Reinstatement After State Reduced Dismissal to Compulsory Retirement

The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed a petition filed by a police constable challenging his compulsory retirement after the State modified his dismissal through a mercy petition.

The Court held that mercy is not a legal right and cannot be claimed as a matter of entitlement. It noted that there is no statutory provision for a mercy petition, yet the State showed leniency by reducing the punishment.

The Court also found that the Superintendent of Police was competent to impose the original penalty.

Holding that orders passed in mercy jurisdiction are not ordinarily subject to judicial review, the Court rejected the plea.

[Babulal Deewan v. State of MP]

Read Order / a month ago

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MP High Court Denies Bail to Doctor in Chhindwara Cough Syrup Death Case

The Madhya Pradesh High Court refused bail to Dr. Praveen Soni, who was arrested for allegedly prescribing “Coldrif” cough syrup linked to the deaths of more than 26 young children in Chhindwara district.

The Court noted an allegation that a senior paediatrician had warned Dr. Soni about past deaths caused by DEG-contaminated cough syrup and suggested a similar risk, but Dr. Soni continued prescribing the medicine.

The Court also recorded allegations that he prescribed a fixed-dose combination allegedly banned by a government circular dated 18.12.2023, and that public health was impacted.

[Dr. Praveen Soni v. The State of Madhya Pradesh]

Read Details / a month ago

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