Madhya Pradesh High Court Grants Interim Relief To Khandwa Residents Facing Eviction Following Cow Slaughter Allegations
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted interim protection to a group of Muslim residents of Khandwa district, facing eviction from their homes purportedly as a backlash to cattle slaughter allegations against them.In an urgent Sunday hearing, the bench of Justice Maninder S Bhatti directed:"Till next date of hearing, the effect and operation of impugned notice dated 25.06.2026 (Annexure...
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted interim protection to a group of Muslim residents of Khandwa district, facing eviction from their homes purportedly as a backlash to cattle slaughter allegations against them.
In an urgent Sunday hearing, the bench of Justice Maninder S Bhatti directed:
"Till next date of hearing, the effect and operation of impugned notice dated 25.06.2026 (Annexure P-1) shall remain stayed and no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioners on the strength of impugned notice dated 25.06.2026 (Annexure P-1)".
According to the petition, a Govnash case (cow slaughter) came to be registered against some persons, which led to a demonstration by the Hindu Community "pressurizing the officials to take adverse action against the Petitioners".
It is alleged that the officials served the impugned eviction notice on the Petitioners at night, around 11 pm, with oral directions to pack their belongings. The petition claims that the people have resided on the disputed premises for decades and that there was not enough time to gather documents establishing their lawful occupation.
Although the impugned notice does not expressly state that the structures will be demolished, the petitioners claims that they have a genuine apprehension of summary demolition based on the authorities' oral statements while serving the notice, subsequent statements made to the media and the language and tenor of the notice itself.
Senior Advocate for the Petitioner, Anoop Nair, contended there was an "imminent threat" to the Petitioners' residence.
While passing directions for interim relief, the court also issued notice to the Collector and the concerned Gram Panchayat, and listed the matter after three weeks.
Case Title: Sheikh Basheer v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-24294-2026
For Petitioners: Senior Advocate Anoop Nair with Advocate Kabeer Paul
For State: Government Advocate Girish Kekre with Vineet Singh