MP High Court Allows Specially Abled Person To Intervene In PIL Seeking Accessible Court Amenities; State, HC Administration To Respond

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on Monday (January 5), granted time to the State Government and the High Court administration to file their replies in a public interest litigation seeking directions to provide necessary facilities for persons with disability as well as persons suffering from chronic diseases, women and senior citizens in the High Court and District Courts. The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf further permitted a especially abled person to intervene in the matter. It observed; "By this application, one Mr. Narendra Kumar Mishra seeks intervention. Learned counsel submits that he is a especially abled person and seeks provision of amenities to facilitate especially abled persons access to court premises. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that without prejudice to the rights and contentions, he has no objection to the intervention being allowed. Accordingly, the application is allowed. Mr. Narendra Kumar Mishra is impleaded as respondent. Amended memo of party be filed within one week. Necessary amendment be also incorporated in the petition. Learned counsel appearing for the High Court as well as the State pray for some more time to file reply. Let the same be filed within four weeks". The PIL was filed by an advocate seeking directions to ensure that the High Court and District Courts provide adequate infrastructure and facilities for women, persons with disability, persons suffering from chronic diseases and senior citizens, in order to safeguard their fundamental rights and ensure meaningful access to justice.According to the petition, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Court in May 2021 had constituted an Accessibility Committee to address the barriers faced by lawyers and litigants with disability in accessing court premises. However, several issues allegedly continue to persist. It was stated that as of March 2025, only one gate of the High Court premises was permitted for the entry of litigants after Aadhaar verification. The gate opens onto the main road, where the litigants have to stand in a long queue for extended periods without any shade from the sun or the rain. The petition also highlighted the lack of feeding rooms and childcare facilities in court premises. A letter petition was also submitted to the High Court on June 2, 2025, relying on the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Maatr Sparsh- an Initiative by Avyaan Foundation vs Union Of India of 19 February, 2025, seeking the establishment of feeding rooms and childcare facilities. A reminder was also sent, but no action was taken by the administration. Additionally, the petition refers to the State Government's affordable food scheme, MP Deen Dayal Antyodaya Rasoi Yojana, which provides means to economically weaker sections. It was stated that thousands of litigants visit the High Court daily, and therefore, a Dayal Antyodaya Rasoi should be opened near this court.The petition thus sought directions for the concerned authorities to construct necessary facilities for specially abled persons, including installation of lifts, construction of ramps, provision of seating and resting areas and other essential amenities. The State, during the hearing, sought time to file a reply in the matter. Case Title: Surendra Verma v State of Madhya Pradesh [WP-34380-2025] For High Court: Advocate Sandeep Kumar ShuklaFor State Legal Service Authority: Advocate Gurdeep Singh WadhwaFor Intervenor: Advocate Shubham ShuklaClick here to read/download the Order

MP High Court Allows Specially Abled Person To Intervene In PIL Seeking Accessible Court Amenities; State, HC Administration To Respond

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MP High Court Allows Specially Abled Person To Intervene In PIL Seeking Accessible Court Amenities; State, HC Administration To Respond

Jayanti Pahwa

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