The Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association, Jabalpur, has addressed a formal letter to the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, highlighting serious grievances regarding the listing of cases, roster management, and administrative issues. The Association has convened a General Body meeting on December 1, 2025, to decide on the future course of action, indicating a potential abstention from court work if the issues are not resolved.
In a letter dated November 26, 2025 (Ref. No. 826/25), signed by President Dhanya Kumar Jain and Secretary Paritosh Trivedi, the Bar Association stated that they have been continuously communicating with the Chief Justice for the past six months, both orally and in writing, regarding problems faced by advocates concerning case hearings, listing, and the roster.
Key Issues and Demands
The Association has outlined seven “burning issues” that require immediate attention:
- Restoration of Drop Box Facility: The Bar highlighted that previously, drop boxes were kept in the court premises where advocates could drop court slips to fix tentative dates for case listing. This system allowed cases to be locked and listed on specific dates. The discontinuation of this facility has caused significant inconvenience, and the Bar has demanded its restoration.
- Uncertainty Over “Not Reached” Cases: The letter points out the lack of a clear policy regarding cases that are “Not Reached.” Cases that are adjourned are not getting re-listed, and even fixed-date cases requested via court slips are failing to make it to the list.
- Disposal of Bail Matters: Noting that five Division Benches are currently functional, the Association suggested that if bail matters are distributed to Judges post-lunch, the pendency of bail applications could be significantly reduced before the upcoming winter vacation.
- Listing of Fresh Cases (Section 482 Cr.P.C./528 B.N.S.S.): Fresh cases filed under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. (now Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) are not getting listed. The Bar asserted that hearing these matters alongside the bail roster is not feasible and demanded a separate bench for these cases.
- Concerns Over Roster Changes: In a significant observation, the letter states that advocates feel “relief-oriented judges” are being deprived of rosters for important cases or their rosters are being changed unnecessarily. The Association expressed concern that such actions cast unwarranted doubts on the honesty and integrity of these judges.
- Filing Requirements in Contempt Cases: The Association objected to a recent directive requiring advocates to file copies of all cases mentioned in the order of the writ petition along with the contempt petition. The Bar termed this requirement as causing “extreme difficulty” for advocates.
- Preservation of Court Dignity: The letter raised concerns about internal differences or allegations between Hon’ble Judges being circulated among advocates through various mediums. The Association stated that this is damaging the dignified reputation of the High Court and is “extremely inappropriate.”
The letter concludes by informing the Chief Justice that hundreds of advocates have submitted signed applications to the Association requesting a General Body meeting to discuss abstaining from court work due to these unresolved issues.
The Bar Association has scheduled a General Body meeting for upcoming Monday, December 1, 2025. The Association has requested the Chief Justice to consider and resolve these problems immediately so that a positive outcome can be conveyed to the advocates during the meeting.
