LiveLaw Madhya Pradesh High Court Monthly Digest: July 2026

MP High Court Suspects POCSO Convict Faked Deafness To Vitiate Trial

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that an accused cannot evade mandatory examination under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in an attempt to vitiate trial, by "pretending" to be deaf and dumb. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 244]

Case Title: In re: State of Madhya Pradesh v Kalyan Raikwar, CRIMINAL REFERENCE NO. 01 of 2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 244

Madhya Pradesh High Court Allows Woman's Plea For Abortion Despite Estranged Husband Remaining Unrepresented

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed a woman's plea to terminate her 13-week-old pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, despite her estranged husband remaining unrepresented before the court. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 245]

Case Title: UA v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-22392-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 245

MP High Court Quashes ₹35 Lakh Compensation Awarded To POSH Complainant Pending Accused's Appeal

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside a Single Judge's order directing the Vice Chancellor of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) to pay compensation of ₹35 Lakhs to a Yoga Instructor, over allegations of sexual harassment at the workplace. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 246]

Case Title: Dilip Kumar Dureha v Smt Anusha Deepak Tyagi, WA-2332-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 246

Coldriff Cough Syrup Deaths: MP High Court Grants Bail To Supplier, Medical Representative

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to the registered proprietor of a firm supplying diethylene glycol (a toxic solvent) and a medical representative engaged in selling packaged Coldriff cough syrup, which resulted in the death of as many as 30 children in the State. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 247]

Case Title: Shailesh C Pandiya v State of Madhya Pradesh and Satish Verma v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-16355-2026, MCRC-17476-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 247

MP High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against Three Accused Of Providing Equipment Used For Advertising Religious Conversion

The Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to quash an FIR against three men under the MP Freedom of Religion Act, observing that the investigation prima facie disclosed their involvement as they provided equipment used for advertising the alleged inducement for religious conversion. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 248]

Case Title: Jagram v State of Madhya Pradesh, CRR-555-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 248

MP High Court Denies Bail To 'Journalist' Accused Of Extorting Govt Official With Defamatory Posts Over Rejection Of GST Application

The Madhya Pradesh High Court denied anticipatory bail to a man–claiming to be a journalist, who is accused of extorting an Assistant Commissioner of GST over rejection of his GST application, by threatening her that he will post defamatory and derogatory news against her on Facebook. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 249]

Case Title: Pradeep Kumar Jatav v State of Madhya Pradesh MCRC-28051-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 249

Trial Court Can't Place Entire Burden Of Proving Husband's Income On Wife: MP High Court Grants Maintenance

While granting maintenance to the wife and enhancing the maintenance amount of the minor child, the Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that the trial court had wrongly placed the entire burden of proving the husband's income.

Emphasizing that Section 125 CrPC is a social welfare proceeding, the bench of Justice Gajendra Singh held that the husband ought to have been asked to disclose all material facts regarding his income.

Case Title: G v S, CRR-512-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 250

Positive DNA Report Not Sufficient To Sustain POCSO Conviction If Complainant's Age Is Not Proved: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that a conviction order under POCSO Act based merely on a positive DNA report is not sustainable, especially when the age of the complainant/prosecutrix remains unproven.

The division bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra Singh observed that father of the prosecutrix had stated that his marriage was performed nineteen years prior to the date of incident and after one year of his marriage, his first child i.e. the prosecutrix was born. However the mother had said that her marriage was solemnized twenty years prior to the date of the incident and that the prosecutrix was born two years thereafter.

Case Title: Munna Ram v State of Madhya Pradesh, CRA-1920-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 251

Can Absconding Accused Claim Default Bail If Police Doesn't File Supplementary Chargesheet After His Arrest? MP High Court Answers

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that where a chargesheet has already been filed against an accused while he was absconding, there is no requirement for filing a supplementary chargesheet after his arrest.

Case Title: Bablu @ Arvind Dubey v State of Madhya Pradesh, CRR No.1443-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 252

Hindu Marriage Can't Be Solemnised Or Dissolved Through Notarised Agreements: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that a Hindu Marriage can neither be legally solemnised nor dissolved through a notarised agreement.

Case Title: Ram Kripal Singh v State of Madhya Pradesh, WA-1624-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 253

Pregnancy Termination Cases Are 'Urgent', Authorities Can't Waste Time By Seeking Court's Permission When Not Required: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought an explanation from Civil Surgeon, Assistant Chief Superintendent of a Hospital in Madla district as to why medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) cases are being referred to court where the foetus is less than 24 weeks—when the MTP Act provides that two medical practitioners can carry out procedure with the consent of the victim or her guardian.

Case Title: Prosecutrix X v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-25213-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 254

MP High Court Refuses Relief To Judge Accused Of Preparing Acquittal Judgment Before Trial Concluded

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused to quash disciplinary proceedings against a civil judge, after allegations surfaced claiming that he prepared an acquittal judgment for the accused back in October 2020, even though the trial was pending.

The judge allegedly prepared the judgment in furtherance of a conspiracy to confer undue advantage upon the accused Santosh Verma, whose IAS award was held up due to the pendency of a criminal case.

Case Title: V v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-18568-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 255

UGC Can't Restrict State From Prescribing Essential Educational Qualifications For Public Services: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the University Grants Commission and its Regulations cannot restrict the State Government from prescribing essential educational qualifications for public services.

In doing so the court refused to interfere with the rejection of a candidate for not possessing a post graduate degree in Zoology as he was seeking appointment as Assistant Professor (Zoology), despite having M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Entomology which he claimed was an allied subject recognized by University Grants Commission Regulations 2018.

Case Title: Dr Rahul Patidar v State of Madhya Pradesh, W.P. No. 42965/2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 256

'Facet Of Article 21': MP High Court Allows Russian National Booked In Cheating FIR To Travel Abroad For Disabled Son's Treatment

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed a Russian citizen, facing charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy in India, to travel abroad for his disabled son's treatment.

Case Title: Gaurav Ahlawat v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-24830-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 257

Husband's Attention Towards Parents Can't Be Ground For Wife To Live Separately, Claim Maintenance: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that a husband's attention towards his parents or other family members cannot, by itself, constitute a legally sufficient ground for a wife to live separately and claim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 258]

Case Title: L v A, CRR No.1229/2022

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 258

MP High Court Refuses To Quash Criminal Case Against Govt Doctor Accused Of Refusing Treatment Over Non-Payment

The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed a doctor's plea against an order taking cognizance of a complaint filed by deceased woman's husband, over allegations that despite being informed of the patient's critical condition she failed to provide medical assistance and instead demanded money. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 259]

Case Title: Dr Mandavi v Anish Khan

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 259

Poverty, Illiteracy And Ignorance Of Law Not 'Sufficient Cause' To Condoned Four-Year Delay In Compensation Claim: MP High Court

Dismissing a family's appeal against rejection of their claim petition under the Employees' Compensation Act due to inordinate delay of 4 years, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that mere poverty, illiteracy, and ignorance of law do not automatically constitute 'sufficient cause' under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, which allows condonation of delay. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 260]

Case Title: Ameena v Badri Mishra, MA-6468-2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 260

Accused Has No Statutory Right To File Protest Petition Against Charge Sheet: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, while dismissing a man's revision against the framing of charges for sexual intercourse on a false promise of marriage and obscenity, has held that an accused has no statutory right to file a protest petition against a charge sheet and seek a mini-trial before charges are framed. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 261]

Case Title: Parth Kumar Tiwari v State of MP, Cr.R. No.2569/2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 261

MP High Court Asks DGP To Consider Action Against Cop, School Principal For Suppressing Minor Girl's Age

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Director General of Police to decide whether any action should be taken against a cop and the Principal of a school for allegedly creating doubt over the age of a minor girl, which helped the accused who had eloped with the girl to secure an acquittal in a criminal case. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 262]

Case Title: Ravi Prajapati v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-23395-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 262

Matrimonial Dispute Resulting In Acquittal Can't Be Sole Ground To Deny Compassionate Appointment As Constable: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, while directing the appointment of a candidate to the post of Constable, held that the grant of a compassionate appointment cannot be denied solely because the candidate was tried and acquitted after settlement was reached between parties in a cruelty case.

The bench of Justice Anand Singh Bahrawat noted that the alleged offence occurred between 2015-2021 and the petitioner was acquitted in 2025 after the candidate's brother and his sister-in-law reached a settlement.

Case Title: Raghvendra Tomar v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP. No. 41182 of 2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 263

'Alarming': MP High Court Says Police May Be Deliberately Ignoring Arrest Procedure To Help Accused Secure Release

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Director General of Police to issue a circular warning all investigating officers over strict compliance with Section 47 BNSS requirement and Supreme Court guidelines in the Pankaj Bansal case, which mandates that grounds of arrest must be communicated in writing. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 264]

Case Title: Dharmendra Lodhi v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-25312-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 264

One Time Adverse Remarks Cannot Permanently Debar Lawyer From Future Appointment: MP High Court Upholds Law Officer's Selection

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld the appointment of a government law officer, observing that a single instance of adverse remarks in the past cannot permanently disqualify the advocate from future appointments. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 265]

Case Title: Amit Kumar Singh Raghuvanshi v State of Madhya Pradesh

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 265

MP High Court Allows Minor Girl To Live With Father Facing POCSO Charges After She Claims He Was Falsely Implicated

The Madhya Pradesh High Court permitted a minor girl to live with her father and elder sister, after noting that the daughter in her statement had said that he was falsely accused of sexually harassing her at the instance of her mother. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 266]

Case Title: S v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-20029-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 266

Major Woman Free To Live Wherever She Wishes; Courts Can't Issue Directions Contrary To Her Free Will: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a mother's habeas corpus plea seeking that her daughter be traced, observing that the daughter is an adult woman who cannot be forced to reside at home with her parents merely because they disagree with her choice of partner. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 267]

Case Title: UJ v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-25504-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 267

Newly-Recruited Bank Employee May Have Deviated From Procedure Under Superiors' Influence: MP High Court Grants Bail In Embezzlement FIR

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted anticipatory bail to the Teller of ESAF Small Finance Bank in an embezzlement FIR, observing that she was newly appointed and was susceptible to the influence or commands of superior officers, especially when she did not receive any financial benefit from embezzling. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 268]

Case Title: Priyanka Goswami v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-27687-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 268

'Genesis Of Relationship Doubtful': After Woman Admits She's Not Practising Advocate, MP High Court Quashes Her Rape FIR Against 'Client'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed a rape FIR lodged by a woman against her alleged client after she admitted before the Court that she was not, in fact, a practising advocate. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 269]

Holding that the complainant-respondent's earlier claim that she had met the accused while professionally assisting him in a child custody dispute constituted the foundation of the prosecution case, the Court observed that the very genesis of the relationship between the parties had become doubtful.

Case Title: Abhishek Yadav v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-7186-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 269

HAMA | Major Unmarried Daughter Need Not Show Disability To Claim Maintenance If Unable To Maintain Herself From Own Earnings: MP High Court

Upholding a family court order granting maintenance pendente lite of ₹2,000 to an unmarried adult daughter, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has observed that Section 20(3) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAM Act) clearly states that the daughter needs to show that she is unable to maintain herself with her earnings or other property and does not need to prove any disability. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 270]

Case Title: Ganga Singh v Devi Singh, CRR No-4968-2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 270

'Financial Considerations Can't Override Human Life': MP High Court Upholds Extension Of Building Permission That Expired During COVID

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld the extension of a building permission that had expired during the COVID-19 pandemic, observing that financial considerations cannot take precedence over life of a person. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 271]

Case Title: Municipal Corporation Gwalior v Smt Padma Bansal WA-93-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 271

MP High Court Upholds FIR Against 'Journalist' Accused Of Kidnapping Minor Girl, Says Child's Statement Supports Prosecution Case

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused to quash an FIR lodged against a man stated to be a journalist, accused of kidnapping a minor girl observing that the case prima facie disclosed the commission of a cognizable offence and that the child's statement supported the prosecution's case. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 272]

Case Title: Bablu Sen v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-55549-2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 272

Inheritance And Long Service Cannot Substitute Valid Appointment Process For Temple Pujari: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that long-term service, subsequent recognition, or administrative correspondence cannot validate the appointment of a pujari. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 273]

Case Title: Virendra Kumar v Anurag Mishra WRIT APPEAL No. 1737 of 2026, Rajkumar Sharma v Anurag Mishra WRIT APPEAL No. 1738 of 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 273

MP High Court Permits 52-Year-Old Woman To Undergo IVF Despite 50 Yrs Age Bar Under ART Act

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed a 52-year-old woman to undergo the in vitro fertilisation process despite the upper age limit of 50 years prescribed under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 274]

Case Title: B v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-1233-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 274

Tahsildar Exercising Quasi Judicial Function Is Entitled To Protection Available To Judges: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, while allowing the petition of the retired Joint Collector of Morena against the order that withheld his pension, held that tahsildars performing quasi-judicial functions are entitled to receive additional protection under the Judges Protection Act, 1985. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 275]

Case Title: DK Kamthan v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP. No. 14329 of 2018

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 275

Wife Who Voluntarily Left Matrimonial Home, Engaged In Extramarital Relationship Not Entitled To Divorce: MP High Court

While upholding the dismissal of a wife's divorce petition under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, the Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that the wife had left the matrimonial home of her own volition and had engaged in an extramarital affair and therefore was not entitled to divorce. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 276]

Case Title: LY v RY, FA-483-2022

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 276

MP High Court Suspends Notary License For Registering Marriage Despite Express Bar, Seeks Explanation

The Madhya Pradesh High Court suspended the license of a Notary Public for preparing a marriage document, despite a specific bar issued by the Central Government on notary officers' from executing marriage or divorce deeds as they are not marriage officers. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 277]

Case Title: Chandrapal Singh Parihar v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-26269-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 277

MP High Court Restores Appeal, Asks Litigant To Visit Old Age Home And Spend Time With Inmates

Emphaising the importance of integrating Social Audit, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed an applicant, seeking restoration of his writ appeal due to a peremptory order, to visit a Old Age Home (instead of imposing costs on him). [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 278]

Case Title: PS Mandeliya v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCC-1820-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 278

MP High Court Closes Plea Seeking Probe Into Woman Advocate's Alleged Dowry Death, Directs Expeditious Consideration Of Father's Representation

The Madhya Pradesh High Court closed a plea seeking CBI probe into a lady advocate's alleged unnatural death post marriage, granting the petitioner father liberty to file a representation with the concerned authority to be decided expeditiously in four weeks. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 279]

Case Title: P Dakshinamurthy v State of Madhya Pradesh WP-21807-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 279

Consensual Relationship Can't Be Treated As Rape Merely Over Failed Promise To Marry: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside a man's conviction for rape (Section 376) and abetment to suicide (Section 306), observing that he and the deceased had a consensual relationship with an unfulfilled promise to marry. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 280]

Case Title: Ram Kailash Gupta v State of Madhya Pradesh, CRA-6575-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 280

MP High Court Upholds Removal Of Police Constable For Concealing His Acquittal In Riots Case Was Not 'Honourable'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld the dismissal of a constable from the police force, observing that he supressed the fact that his acquittal from the case of rioting and brick pelting was not clean and honourable. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 281]

Case Title: Santosh Solanki v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-10511-2019

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 281

MP High Court Closes Habeas Corpus Pleas Over Detention Of Three Accused Of Circulating AI-Video In Congress-Affiliated WhatsApp Groups

The Madhya Pradesh High Court closed a bunch of habeas corpus petitions which alleged that three men were illegally detained by Police and later handed over to Rajasthan Police over allegations of circulating AI-manipulated video, misusing a news channel's identity on Congress affiliated WhatsApp groups. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 282]

Case Title: Khizar Khan v State of Madhya Pradesh and connected petitions WP No. 14955 of 2026, WP No. 14960 of 2026, WP No. 14961 of 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 282

MP High Court Quashes Termination Of Employee After 28 Years Of Service, Orders State To Regularise Him On Direct Recruitment Post

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed the termination of an employee whose services were cancelled after nearly 28 years on the ground that his initial appointment to the post of Daftari was irregular, observing that the State, instead of removing him after such a long period of service, ought to have regularised him against a post meant for direct recruitment. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 283]

Case Title: Kalyan Singh Pawar v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-20363-2017

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 283

District Collector Can't Order Police To Recall Closure Report Or Reopen Probe: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the District Collector cannot pass an executive mandate to the police authorities to recall the closure report or reopen the investigation into a criminal case.

The bench of Justice Jai Kumar Pillai further emphasized that such orders would amount to "allowing the executive to usurp the judicial function of a Magistrate".

Case Title: Deepak Manulal Garg v State of Madhya Pradesh, W.P. No.48444/2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 284

Can Accused Claim Acquittal In Rape Case Solely Due To Absence Of DNA Evidence? MP High Court Answers

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has clarified that a rape accused cannot claim acquittal in cases merely because the DNA report has not been proved, if the facts otherwise establish the guilt of the accused.

Case Title: Mukesh Jatav v State of Madhya Pradesh, CRA-906-2017

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 285

Advocate Representing Party In One Case While Pursuing Relief Against Him In Another? MP High Court Asks BCI To Examine Conduct

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has asked the Bar Council of India to examine whether a practising advocate committed professional misconduct by representing the Administrative Member of MP Private University Regulatory Commission in petitions challenging recovery proceedings, while simultaneously pursuing public interest litigations challenging his appointment.

Case Title: Anil Singh v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-11341-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 286

MP High Court Grants Bail To Woman Accused Of Buying Newborn, Says Offence Of Human Trafficking Prima Facie Not Made Out

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to a woman accused of trafficking by buying a newborn child, observing that she had arranged the child for her daughter and therefore the ingredients of trafficking under Section 143 of the BNS were prima facie not fulfilled.

Case Title: Rubina v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-29110-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 287

'Derogatory' WhatsApp Post On Jain Saint: MP High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail, Says Electronic Evidence Can Be Examined Without Arrest

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted anticipatory bail to three individuals, including a doctor, for circulating an allegedly defamatory message against Jain saint Muni Shri Sudhasagar Ji Maharaj in a WhatsApp group.

Case Title: Dr Rekha Jain v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-30127-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 288

'Words Not Proper But No Intent To Hurt Religious Sentiments': MP High Court Grants Relief To Man Booked Over Remarks On Goddess Sita

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a programme host accused of promoting religious enmity by reciting a couplet concerning the abduction of Goddess Sita, observing that although the choice of words may have been inappropriate, it does not prima facie indicate an intention to hurt public sentiments or create communal disharmony.

Case Title: Sandeep Kumar v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC No-29490-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 289

MP High Court Closes Criminal Contempt Against BJP MLA For Contacting Judge; Issues Stern Warning

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has closed criminal contempt proceedings initiated against BJP MLA Sanjay Satyendra Pathak for attempting to contact a sitting High Court judge in connection with a writ petition relating to allegations of illegal mining by three companies allegedly owned by him.

Case Title: In Reference (Suo Motu Contempt) v Sanjay Satyendra Pathak CONCR-5-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 290

Father's Duty To Maintain Minor Child Doesn't End Because Mother Is Employed, Her Income Relevant Only To Determine Quantum: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the father's responsibility to maintain his minor children is not extinguished merely because the mother is employed and the minor child resides with her.

Case Title: V v J, CRR-3577-2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 291

Maintenance | Salary Payslips Constitute Cogent Evidence To Determine Income Status Of Parties: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that salary payslips form cogent evidence to determine the income status of both husband and wife while deciding an application for maintenance under Section 125 CrPC.

Case Title: R v R, CRR No.4116-2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 292

S.154 Electricity Act | Only Special Court Can Decide Civil Liability For Energy Theft, State Distributor Can't Usurp Power: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that only a Special Court constituted under Section 154 of the Electricity Act, 2003 can determine civil liability for theft of energy, and that electricity distribution authorities cannot usurp such power.

Case Title: Narendra Kumar Ojha v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-28733-2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 293

WhatsApp/Email Service Must Be Verified Before Passing Ex-Parte Maintenance Order: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that a Family Court cannot pass an ex-parte order without first ensuring that notice sent through electronic modes such as WhatsApp and email has actually been served.

Holding that failure to verify electronic service violates the principles of natural justice, Justice Jai Kumar Pillai set aside an ex parte maintenance order.

Case Title: WK v AK, Cr.R. NO. 4141/2024

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 294

Shifting Idols From Dilapidated Temple To Continue Worship Not Misconduct By Priest: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the action of a priest in shifting the idols from a dilapidated temple structure to a nearby functional temple to continue uninterrupted worship cannot be termed as misconduct or abandonment of duty.

Case Title: Narayan Das v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-3716-2010

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 295