LiveLaw Madhya Pradesh High Court Weekly Roundup: July 20 - July 26, 2026

Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 284 to 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 295

Nominal Index

• Deepak Manulal Garg v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 284
• Mukesh Jatav v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 285
• Anil Singh v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 286
• Rubina v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 287
• Dr Rekha Jain v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 288
• Sandeep Kumar v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 289
• In Reference (Suo Motu Contempt) v Sanjay Satyendra Pathak 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 290
• V v J 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 291
• R v R 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 292
• Narendra Kumar Ojha v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 293
• WK v AK 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 294
• Narayan Das v State of Madhya Pradesh 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 295

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