On 12 January 2026, the Supreme Court (Bench of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vikram Nath and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Mehta) issued notice and stayed the operation of the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s judgment which had set aside the termination of a judicial officer and directed his reinstatement in service, in High Court of Madhya Pradesh & Anr. v. Navneet Singh Yadav & Anr. (Diary No. 62653/2025). 

 

Background: The SLP arises from disciplinary action taken after an alleged incident during a train journey in June 2018 (Indore–Jabalpur Overnight Express), in which the Judicial Officer was alleged to have been intoxicated, created a nuisance, misbehaved with passengers/railway staff and engaged in grossly indecent conduct. 

 

Departmental proceedings culminated in a termination order dated 28.09.2019, which was later set aside by the High Court’s judgment dated 06.05.2025 with a direction of reinstatement (with liberty to impose only a minor penalty on limited charges).The petition has been filed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on its administrative side (through its Registrar General), raising significant questions on: (i) the distinct standards governing criminal trials versus departmental enquiries (including the differing thresholds of proof); (ii) the limited scope of judicial review under Article 226 in disciplinary matters, particularly where there are concurrent findings in a duly conducted enquiry; and (iii) the institutional mandate of maintaining the highest standards of judicial conduct to preserve public confidence in the justice delivery system. The proceedings have been widely reported, including references to the Court’s oral observations on the seriousness of the alleged misconduct of the judicial officer, while the matter remains sub judice and will now proceed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions. The Supreme Court has directed the Judicial Officer and State of M.P. to file their responses.

 

Representation: The High Court of Madhya Pradesh was well represented by Mr. Divyakant Lahoti, Advocate-on-Record, along with Mr. Kartik Lahoti, Ms. Shreya Gokel, and Ms. Akanksha Soni, Advocates. The judicial officer was represented by Mr. Shailesh Madiyal, Senior Advocate. The matter is pending further hearing before the Supreme Court.