Disclaimer: This has been reported after the availability of the order of the Court and not on media reports so as to give an accurate report to our readers.
Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a writ petition filed by the petitioner—father seeking the production of his daughter (corpus), who had left home, a Division Bench of Sanjeev Sachdeva,* CJ., and Vinay Saraf, J., recognised the her right to study and pursue civil services ambition, and facilitated a supportive environment by involving a senior IAS officer as her mentor.
During the proceedings, the State placed a status report indicating that the corpus was a meritorious student and, according to statements of her friends, she had left home because “her parents were insisting that she should discontinue her studies, however, she wanted to join Public Services.”
The Court, vide order dated 26-06-2025, directed that the status report be filed in the Registry and instructed the State “to intensify the steps to trace out the corpus and submit a fresh report before the next date of hearing,” including an enquiry into “whether the corpus has taken admission in some University for further education in the States where search is being conducted.”
On 06-11-2025, the corpus was produced before the Court. She stated that she was just over 18 years of age and had left home as she “wanted to study and was facing some difficulty at her own house.” The Court noted that the parents expressed willingness to take her home, but the corpus was reluctant. She agreed to stay with her parents for 4—5 days.
On 12.11.2025, the corpus was again produced before the Bench. She expressed a clear desire to stay at her parents’ house and continue her studies as well as prepare for the civil services examination. The petitioner assured the Court that he would take good care of her, ensure continuation of her studies, and assist her in preparing for the civil services examination.
The Court recognised the corpus’ right to study and noted that she was a “bright child” who wished to pursue her education.
While considering the corpus’ welfare, her expressed wishes, and her right to study and pursue her public services ambition, the Court issued the following directions —
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Allowed the corpus to return to her parents’ home, consistent with her expressed desire.
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Requested Ms. Bandana Preyasi, IAS, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Patna, stationed at Muzaffarpur, to act as Mentor and Guide to the corpus “to whom she can look up and also take assistance, if so required.”
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Directed the Investigating Officer to return the articles seized from the petitioner once the corpus had been traced and returned home.
[Ranjeet Kumar v. State of M.P., WP No. 13779 of 2025, Decided on 12-11-2025]
*Judgment by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva
Advocates who appeared in this case:
Shri Navneet Shukla, Counsel for the Petitioner
Dr. Siddharth Singh Chauhan, Government Advocate, Counsel for the Respondent/State